As government formation talks pick up pace in Patna, speculation is that allies JD(U) and BJP are reportedly not on the same page regarding Cabinet formation. The JD(U) apparently is not in a mood to let go of plum posts, including that of the Speaker, according to reports.
The tiff has reached Delhi, after which the BJP top brass reportedly summoned JD(U) acting national president Sanjay Jha and Union Minister and senior leader Lallan Singh to Delhi. The duo has informed the BJP High Command that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar wants a certain commitment from the BJP on having “equality” in the Cabinet, despite the difference in the number of MLAs. The JD(U) has 85 seats while the BJP has 89 seats in the House.
According to local media reports, Nitish had demanded veto power over the post of Deputy Chief Minister. Whoever becomes the Deputy Chief Minister from the BJP will have to get the approval of Nitish Kumar before assuming the post. He also wants one Deputy Chief Minister from the JD(U). The post of Assembly Speaker should go to JDU, while the post of Legislative Council Chairman can remain with BJP.
Delhi: Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) and JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha arrived in Delhi pic.twitter.com/DYYGGequW4
— IANS (@ians_india) November 17, 2025
According to sources, the NDA cabinet formula has almost been finalised. According to this, 14 ministers could be appointed from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 13 from Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United). Additionally, three ministers could be appointed from Chirag Paswan's LJP (R), and one each from Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM and Upendra Kushwaha's RLM.
Though the Bihar Cabinet can accomodate 36 ministers, Nitish plans to leave approximately five vacant positions in the new government to accommodate needed adjustments. There is also talk of the BJP appointing two deputy chief ministers.
There are also chatters about a Dalit Deputy Chief Minister. However, the NDA has to appoint three deputy chief ministers for that to happen. Speculations are that someone from the LJP (Ram Vilas) could become deputy chief minister. Five of the LJP-R's 19 MLAs are Rajputs, while Dalit votes play a key role in the NDA's overall equation. The NDA alliance comprises 14 Dalit MLAs from the JDU, 12 from the BJP, five from the LJP (R), and four from the HAM.
