The state of Bihar is on the verge of a major political change as the NDA prepares to form its government. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to take oath for a record tenth time on November 20 or 21 in Patna, with a 20-member council of ministers joining him in the swearing-in ceremony.
When is the Swearing-In Ceremony and Who Will Attend?
The grand oath-taking event is scheduled to be held at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and a number of union ministers are expected to attend the ceremony. This high-profile gathering reflects the importance of the NDA’s landslide victory and the stability of the central government.
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What is the Composition of the New Cabinet?
The initial cabinet will include a fair mix from major NDA allies. Reports suggest six to seven ministers each from the BJP and JD(U) will be sworn in. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will get two ministers, while the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha will have one minister each. This allocation reflects both seat-sharing and election results.
The constitution limits cabinet size to 15% of an assembly’s total strength. For Bihar’s 243-seat assembly, this means a maximum of 36 ministers, including the chief minister. Ministers beyond the initial 20 may be sworn in later.
How is the Cabinet Size Determined?
The number of ministers in a state is constitutionally mandated. For Bihar, with a 243-member assembly, the maximum strength of the cabinet, including the chief minister, is capped at 36. The choice to begin with 20 ministers enables the administration to initially maintain a small cabinet while providing space for future additions and political changes as needed. Later on, other ministers who are not part of this core group may be inducted.
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What Led to This Formation?
The cabinet formation comes after the NDA’s historic win in the assembly elections, where it won over 200 seats. The BJP was the largest party with 89 seats, closely followed by JD(U) with 85. In its final meeting, the outgoing cabinet passed a resolution praising Kumar for this “best ever performance” and authorized him to recommend dissolving the assembly from November 19, clearing the way for the new government.
