Younger Leaders to Rein in Nitish Kumar, Battle Over Portfolios: BJP s Gameplan Delays Cabinet Expansion
The ongoing shake-up in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to rid the party of the old guards close to Nitish Kumar and shift the baton of state leadership to the next generation seems to have come in the way of cabinet expansion in Bihar.
It is little over a month that Nitish Kumar was sworn-in as the chief minister but the cabinet expansion exercise has not yet been completed causing heartburn among the ruling alliance legislators.
Despite having 74 MLAs in its kitty, the BJP kept its promise and made Kumar the chief minister with 14 ministers, including two deputy chief ministers. As per the existing rule, a maximum of 36 ministers, including the chief minister, can be appointed in the 243-member Bihar assembly.
Sushil in Rajya Sabha, veterans on panels, BJP may induct young leaders in Bihar Cabinet
According to BJP sources, Nitish Mishra, Nitin Navin, Sanjeev Chourasia and Samrat Choudhary are among the younger crop of leaders who could get a seat in the next Cabinet expansion. Updated: December 16, 2020 8:21:56 am
The party said some its workers were injured in the attack.(File photo)
BJP has signalled a transfer of power to the younger generation of leaders in the expansion of the Nitish Kumar-led Cabinet likely only after January 14 with Makar Sankranti marking the end of the “inauspicious” month of Kharmas as the party has accommodated four senior leaders in Vidhan Sabha committees.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. File
Speculation over delay arose as JD(U) has been reportedly insisting on having equal number of berths to that of BJP
Amid a raging speculation over the delay in Cabinet expansion, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said it would be done after the BJP’s proposal, which had not been received yet.
“When the BJP would propose for the Cabinet expansion, we’ll think over it but no such proposal has been received yet”, he told mediapersons “Presently, we’re busy with moving forward of our blueprint for the development of the State for next five years”.
JD(U) insists on having equal number of berths to that of BJP
Amid a raging speculation over the delay in Cabinet expansion, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said it would be done after BJP’s proposal, which had not been received yet.
“When BJP would propose for the Cabinet expansion, we’ll think over it but no such proposal has been received yet,” he told mediapersons “Presently, we’re busy with moving forward of our blueprint for the development of the State for next five years.”
The Cabinet now has 14 members, including Mr. Kumar. In the 243-member Assembly, it could have a maximum of 36 members.