Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, a first-time JDU MLA from Nalanda, is likely to be inducted into the Bihar cabinet on May 7th. This follows recent expansions and reshufflings within the state government, aiming to accommodate coalition partners and reward loyal party members.
The expansion will see the inclusion of representatives from the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) led by Pashupati Kumar Paras, and the Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) led by Jitan Ram Manjhi, both allies of the ruling Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition. RLJP is expected to receive one berth, potentially for Pashupati Kumar Paras himself, while HAM is also anticipated to get one ministerial position.
Sources indicate the cabinet expansion is designed to address demands from coalition partners for representation and to strengthen the government’s stability. The JDU, already holding a significant number of portfolios, is making space for its allies while also promoting younger leaders like Nishant Kumar.
Nishant Kumar’s inclusion is viewed as a move to groom a second-generation leader within the JDU and potentially position him for a larger role in state politics. His victory from Nalanda, a seat previously held by his father, Nitish Kumar, is seen as a testament to his growing political influence.
Currently, Bihar has a 36-member cabinet, and the expansion will bring the total to its maximum permissible limit of 36 ministers, including the Chief Minister. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for May 7th at the Raj Bhavan. The allocation of portfolios to the new ministers will be decided after the ceremony. This expansion is a significant development in Bihar politics, reflecting the ongoing power dynamics within the ruling coalition and the emergence of new leadership.
