Bihar CM Nitish Kumar inducts three women ministers—Shreyasi Singh, Rama Nishad and Leshi Singh. [Photo: X]
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has taken charge for the 10th consecutive term, and his new cabinet reflects a clear political message — women leaders are now a growing force in Bihar politics.
The NDA government has inducted three women ministers, Shreyasi Singh, Rama Nishad and Leshi Singh. Their inclusion comes at a time when female voter turnout touched record levels, shaping the election’s outcome in the NDA’s favour.
Nitish Kumar was sworn in at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan on Thursday. PM Narendra Modi and senior BJP and NDA leaders attended the ceremony. Along with him, 26 ministers took oath — 14 from BJP, 8 from JD(U), 2 from LJP(RV), and one each from HAM and RLM.
The induction of the three women ministers stood out, symbolising the NDA’s attempt to reward and strengthen women’s political representation in the state.
Shreyasi Singh represents a powerful mix of sports excellence and political heritage. Born on August 29, 1991, in Delhi, she comes from a well-known political family. Her mother, Putul Kumari, was an MP, and her father, Digvijay Singh, served as a Union Minister.
She lost her father at 19, but his values guided her journey. Before entering politics, she achieved major sporting milestones. She became the first person from Bihar to win a Commonwealth Games gold, securing the medal in the 2018 women’s double trap shooting category. She also won silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and earned an Asian Games bronze.
Shreyasi joined the BJP in 2020 and won the Jamui seat in her first election. She won again in 2025 with an impressive margin of 54,498 votes, making her one of the strongest young faces in the NDA.
Rama Nishad is known for her strong grassroots connections. She represents the Aurai constituency and is widely respected within the extremely backward class (EBC) community.
She has repeatedly delivered massive electoral wins. She once registered the highest number of votes in Bihar, and in 2020, won with the biggest victory margin across 11 constituencies in her district.
Before the 2025 elections, her name was widely discussed as a possible Deputy CM candidate. She again won comfortably this year, defeating Bhogendra Sahni by 57,206 votes, securing her place in the cabinet.
Leshi Singh, a six-time MLA from Dhamdaha in Purnia district, brings seniority and political experience to the cabinet. She first won in 2000 and has been a prominent JD(U) figure since.
At 51, she continues to maintain a strong influence in her constituency. In 2025, she defeated RJD’s Santosh Kumar by 55,159 votes. Her political career is also marked by resilience. After the murder of her husband, strongman Butan Singh, in 2000, she transformed Dhamdaha into her political stronghold.
The appointment of these three women ministers sends a clear message, women voters are now central to Bihar’s electoral math. Nitish Kumar’s long-term focus on women’s empowerment schemes, from reservations to welfare programs, has reshaped the voting landscape. Their cabinet presence reflects that shift.
