New Delhi: A day ahead of the Cabinet expansion of the BJP-led NDA government in Bihar, Nishant Kumar has agreed to join the ministry after earlier reluctance, sources said. Union home minister Amit Shah arrived in Patna on Wednesday evening to finalise the list of ministers in the Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
A swearing-in ceremony is scheduled at Gandhi Maidan on Thursday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and other NDA leaders expected to attend.
As per the agreed formula, both the BJP and the JD(U) are likely to have 16 ministers each, while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) may get two berths, and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha one each. However, sources said the parties may not fill all positions in the first phase, with the BJP likely to induct around 13 ministers and the JD(U) about 12.
Sources said Nishant Kumar agreed to join the government after discussions with senior JD(U) leaders. The 45-year-old recently joined the party and had earlier declined a ministerial role, stating he wanted to build experience within the organisation.
Names being considered from the BJP include Vijay Kumar Sinha, Mangal Pandey, Dilip Jaiswal and Ram Kripal Yadav, among others. From the JD(U), leaders such as Ashok Choudhary, Leshi Singh, Sunil Kumar and Madan Sahni are expected to be included, along with some new faces.
Party insiders said there had been internal demand for Nishant Kumar’s induction. “Ever since he had joined the party, it has been the wish of cadres that he join the government. He could have been appointed as a deputy chief minister last month, but he was hesitant. Finally, he has agreed.”
The Cabinet expansion follows the formation of the government on April 15 after the resignation of JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar.
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