Bihar Politics / BJP's dominance increased in Nitish government, these 7 MLAs took oath as ministers

Before the assembly elections in Bihar, the Nitish government expanded the cabinet, in which seven BJP MLAs got ministerial posts. While maintaining caste and regional balance, the party made its strategy clear on 50 seats including Mithilaanchal. This expansion reflects the strength of the alliance and electoral equations.

Bihar Politics: Bihar is set to hold assembly elections this year, and political activities have intensified. As part of this, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expanded his cabinet on Wednesday, inducting seven BJP MLAs. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan administered the oath to the new ministers at the Raj Bhavan. Through this expansion, BJP has attempted to balance caste and regional equations.

Balancing Caste Equations

The cabinet expansion clearly reflects an attempt to maintain caste representation. The seven inducted MLAs come from different communities, ensuring inclusivity. Here is the list:

Minister’s Name	Caste
Raju Singh	Rajput
Vijay Mandal	Kevat
Jivesh Mishra	Bhumihar
Sunil Kumar	Kushwaha
Krishna Kumar Mantu	Kurmi
Motilal Prasad	Teli
Sanjay Sarawagi	Marwari

This caste-based strategy indicates BJP’s approach to appealing to various communities ahead of the elections.

Focus on Regional Balance

Alongside caste considerations, regional representation has also been a priority:

Two ministers from Darbhanga – Jivesh Mishra and Sanjay Sarawagi.
One minister from Saran – Krishna Kumar Mantu.
Others from different districts: Sunil Kumar (Nalanda), Raju Kumar Singh (Muzaffarpur), Motilal Prasad (Sitamarhi), and Vijay Mandal (Araria).

The expansion ensures representation from Tirhut (two ministers), Mithilanchal (two ministers), and one each from Purnia, Patna, and Saran divisions.

BJP’s Strategy for 50 Seats

Through this expansion, BJP has set its strategy for the assembly elections, particularly targeting 50 seats in the Mithilanchal region, where two MLAs have been given cabinet positions. Whether this move translates into electoral success remains to be seen, but for now, BJP has made a calculated effort to strengthen its caste and regional appeal.

Nitish Kumar’s Political Move

Nitish Kumar is known for his strategic political moves. By including seven BJP MLAs in the cabinet, he has reaffirmed his commitment to the NDA alliance. PM Modi recently referred to him as the “Ladla” (beloved leader) during his Bihar visit, and this expansion is being viewed as a significant political development in that context.

Despite his reputation for switching alliances, Nitish Kumar appears to be signaling his firm stance with the NDA this time. This move not only upholds coalition politics but also strengthens BJP-JDU ties ahead of the elections.

Conclusion

With the election chessboard set, BJP and JDU have clarified their strategies through this cabinet expansion. By ensuring caste and regional balance, BJP aims to solidify its position. Now, it remains to be seen how this political maneuver plays out in the elections and which party ultimately wins public support.