Patna, February 26, 2025 – Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to expand his cabinet today, Wednesday, with the induction of six new ministers, including four from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and two from his own Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)]. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to take place around 4 PM at Raj Bhavan, Patna, as confirmed by sources close to the state government. This move comes ahead of the crucial Bihar Assembly elections later this year, signaling a strategic reinforcement of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition in the state.
The expansion will see four additional BJP MLAs and two JD(U) MLAs assuming ministerial posts, bringing fresh faces into the cabinet as the coalition gears up for the electoral battle. With the current cabinet strength at 30, including the Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers, the addition of six ministers will take the total to 36—the maximum permissible limit in the 243-member Bihar Assembly. The decision follows months of speculation and internal discussions within the NDA, particularly after the alliance’s formation in January 2024, when Nitish Kumar realigned with the BJP following a brief stint with the opposition Mahagathbandhan.
Sources indicate that the expansion aims to balance regional representation and reward loyalists within both parties. The BJP, which holds a stronger position in the coalition with 78 MLAs compared to JD(U)’s 45, is expected to further consolidate its influence through this move. Meanwhile, JD(U) leaders have emphasized that the inclusion of their two MLAs reflects Nitish Kumar’s intent to maintain party cohesion and address governance priorities ahead of the polls.
The announcement has not been without ripples. Earlier today, Bihar Revenue Minister and BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal announced his resignation from the cabinet, citing the party’s “One Person, One Post” policy after his appointment as state chief in January. His exit is likely to pave the way for one of the new BJP inductees, with speculation rife about potential names such as Nitin Nabin, Hari Sahni, or Surendra Mehta, though no official list has been released.
Opposition leaders have been quick to react. RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, the former Deputy Chief Minister, took a swipe at the expansion, alleging on X that it was a “desperate attempt by Nitish Kumar to cling to power with BJP’s crutches.” Congress leaders, meanwhile, claimed the move exposes fissures within the NDA, pointing to Jaiswal’s resignation as evidence of internal discord.
For Nitish Kumar, who has navigated multiple political shifts to retain the Chief Minister’s chair, this cabinet expansion is a calculated step to project stability and unity within the NDA. Political analysts suggest it could also set the tone for portfolio reshuffles, with some overburdened ministers likely to relinquish additional charges. As the clock ticks toward 4 PM, all eyes are on Raj Bhavan, where the swearing-in ceremony will mark yet another chapter in Bihar’s dynamic political landscape.
Stay tuned for further updates as the new ministers take oath.