How many ministers will each NDA ally get in the upcoming Bihar cabinet? More importantly, will Nitish Kumar return as the Chief Minister of the state after BJP emerged the party with the best strike rate in the state?
If reports coming from Patna and New Delhi are to be trusted, the NDA have reached a consensus on both matters and the oath-taking ceremony will take place on or before November 20, Thursday.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has called a cabinet meeting on Monday to approve a resolution dissolving the outgoing 17th Legislative Assembly. He will soon submit his resignation to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, paving the way for the next step in forming a new government. Following this, the NDA constituent parties will meet to elect a coalition leader and then stake claim to form a new government.
BJP decides to back Nitish
Quoting reports, Hindi news portal Jansatta reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's schedule will decide the date of the new government's swearing-in ceremony, which is said to be a grand affair. NDA leaders and allies from across the country are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony which will witness the return of Nitish Kumar as the Chief Minister of the state. The decision on the matter was finalised in the national capital on Saturday in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the report said.
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Initially, the BJP wanted to stake claim for the Chief Ministerial berth given that they have more MLAs than Nitish's JD(U), Jansatta said. However, the central leadership was capable of convincing the state unit that they should let Nitish return to the post. The superior performance over JD(U) did not go unnoticed as the cabinet will have more ministers from the saffron party.
How many ministers will each NDA member get?
It has been decided by the NDA that a party will get a cabinet berth for every six MLAs. As per the formula, the BJP may get 15 or 16 ministerial positions, while the JD(U) may get 14. Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) will get one minister each while Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) may get as many as three. The reports, however, didn't hint who the Deputy Chief Ministers will be and what the formula was.
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The JD(U) president, who would turn 75 in a few months from now, has not been enjoying robust health for some time, though the polls saw him carrying out a dogged campaign. The JD(U), with 85 seats, has emerged as the second largest party after the BJP, which has a tally of 89. Although Kumar, who has been an MLC, did not contest the elections himself, the polls have been seen as a referendum on him.