The recent inclusion of seven BJP members in Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Cabinet has raised a significant question amongst the ruling NDA coalition. Few JDU leaders taking it as a game plan by the BJP to dominate the power game in the state just 6 months before the Assembly elections. Though few ministers argued that the inclusion was long pending since a year to fill the Cabinet vacancies by BJP.
BJP’s Strategic Caste Representation
BJP’s tactics to appoint members based on the different caste groups has not one well with coalition. The new ministers include members of different forward castes, three Other Backward Classes, and two Extremely Backward Classes. Two ministers each represent the Kurmi and Kushwaha communities and are historically considered JD(U) vote banks. The new appointments evince suspicion within the JD(U), with many fearing the BJP made calculated maneuvers by trying to coalesce all caste groups in anticipation of the elections.
JD(U) Concerns About Shift of Power
Though JD(U) admits these Cabinet slots were the BJP’s, the timing of the expansion raised concerns that the BJP could be planning to consolidate its role within the alliance. Some JD(U) leaders fear that BJP increasing its power could result in a situation like Maharashtra, where Eknath Shinde was ousted by a BJP CM when the party came out stronger in polls.
NDA’s Internal Dynamics
The present duty of the Bihar Cabinet comprises 21 from the BJP, 13 from JD(U), and a minister from the Hindustan Awam Morcha, besides an independent minister. As BJP has more seats following the 2020 elections – 74 to JD(U)’s 43, during the next Assembly elections, it is likely to increase its demand for seats against JD(U). JD(U) leaders, on the other hand, believe that in strengthening their relations with Chirag Paswan’s LJP, BJP might go for sidelining them.
BJP’s promises and future plans
BJP leaders assured the one-time split in NDA and argued that Nitish Kumar still represented the face of chief ministership in the upcoming elections of 2025. JD(U) leaders contend that the elections will be taken up under the leadership of Nitish Kumar in contrast to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which were about Narendra Modi.
While the BJP looks at the double-engine government in Bihar, the JD(U) banks upon Nitish Kumar’s record of good governance versus the RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav. While both parties are girding for the electoral war, developments in Bihar at the moment are charged politically, and how this alliance plays out will be very crucial in determining the state’s future.
Edited By Saumya Sharan
Also Read: https://theglobalic.com/2025/03/03/bihar-government-presents-state-budget-in-assembly/
