Nitish 10.0: BJP To Get Speaker's Post As Bihar Cabinet Takes Shape, First Look At Power Formula

Last Updated:November 20, 2025, 09:36 IST

While JD(U) is expected to retain most of its existing ministers, the BJP is likely to bring in several new faces to “reward” new workers for their hard work and dedication

All partners in the alliance are expected to be accommodated in proportion to the number of seats they have won, ensuring a balanced power-sharing arrangement in the new government.

The Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar is set to swear in its new cabinet on Thursday, following a power-sharing formula agreed upon between its constituent parties. Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar will take oath as chief minister for a record tenth time.

Under the formula, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been allocated 17 ministerial berths (plus the post of the Speaker which is expected to go to senior leader Prem Kumar), the JDU gets 15 (including Kumar as CM), while LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) will be assigned two, one, and one ministerial slots respectively.

The NDA swept back to power with 202 seats in the 243-member House, with BJP bagging 89, JD(U) 85, LJP (RV) 19, HAM-S five and RLM four. While JD(U) is expected to retain most of its existing ministers, the BJP is likely to bring in several new faces to “reward" new workers for their hard work and dedication. However, the BJP’s old guard, including Samrat Chaudhary, Vijay Sinha, Mangal Pandey, and Nitin Naveen, will remain.

Negotiations for cabinet berths saw intense lobbying, particularly from the smaller NDA partners. A JDU source also told news agency PTI that the party is seeking a stronger presence in the new cabinet, arguing that its improved tally compared to 2020 warrants additional portfolios. “We had only 12 ministers last time. With our numbers up sharply, we expect more representation," they said. In this context, the new share of 15 berths is likely to appease the party.

News18 has also learnt that BJP’s Ramkripal Yadav and Shreyasi Singh have received the call to join the cabinet. While Yadav has been elected MLA from Danapur, Patna, after defeating RJD’s sitting MLA Ritesh Lal Yadav, Singh is the MLA from Jamui. Apart from this, BJP’s Rama Nishad, who became an MLA for the first time, will also become a minister. Nishad won the election from Aurai for the first time.

Those from the JDU who have received calls so far to join the cabinet include Lacy Singh, Shravan Kumar, Vijay Chaudhary, Vijendra Yadav, and Madan Sahni.

All partners in the alliance are expected to be accommodated in proportion to the number of seats they have won, ensuring a balanced power-sharing arrangement in the new government.

PM Narendra Modi and top NDA leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Nitish Kumar at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan.

News elections Nitish 10.0: Bihar Cabinet Takes Shape, First Peek At Power-Sharing Formula

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