Bihar: JD(U) Keeps Important Portfolios, BJP Gets More Ministers

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday, 9 February, inducted 17 new ministers in the government after the initial Cabinet formation. Image used for representation. 

(Photo: Altered by Arnica Kala / The Quint)

Months after the election results were declared on November 2020, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday, 9 February, inducted 17 new ministers in the government after the initial Cabinet formation.

While eight members were inducted from the Janata Dal (United), nine were inducted from the Bhartiya Janata Party. In the new Cabinet, the BJP now has 16 ministers with 22 portfolios, while the JD(U) has 13 ministers with 21 portfolios.

While the BJP has one portfolio more than the JD(U) in the Cabinet, the important portfolios like Home, Education, Rural Development, Rural Works and Water Resources still remain with the JD(U).

One of the prominent names inducted was former Union minister and recently elected Legislative Council Member Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, who has been allotted the industry portfolio.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at Raj Bhavan, administered by Governor Phagu Chauhan.

Along with Hussain, Samrat Chaudhary, Subhash Singh, Alok Ranjan, Pramod Kumar, Janaram, Narayan Prasad, Nitin Naveen, and Neeraj Singh Bagu have also been included in the state Cabinet.

Earlier, sources in the BJP had told IANS that the party wanted to give an opportunity to the youth in the state Cabinet, whereas JDU wanted to give a chance to both young and experienced party members.

Former minister Shravan Kumar has once again elected ministers from the JD(U).

Earlier, the state Cabinet consisted of 14 members — seven from BJP, five from JD(U) and one each from Vikassheel Insaan party and Hindustani Awam Morcha party.

(With Inputs from IANS)