A major political shift could take place in Bihar soon, with a BJP leader likely to become Chief Minister for the first time if current plans go ahead. The change may happen after the 2026 Rajya Sabha elections in India on March 16.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has already filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha. His victory in the election is widely expected. After winning, he is likely to resign from the Chief Minister's post.
Sources said the new Chief Minister could take oath around Ram Navami on March 26. If that happens, a BJP MLA would occupy the state's top post for the first time.
BJP draft plan for new cabinet
Sources said the Bharatiya Janata Party has already prepared a draft outline for the new Bihar cabinet. Under this proposed formula, a senior BJP MLA will become the Chief Minister.
As in the current arrangement, the government will have two Deputy Chief Ministers. At present, BJP leaders Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha hold those positions.
However, in the proposed new structure, both Deputy Chief Minister posts could go to leaders from Janata Dal (United). One of the names being discussed is Nishant Kumar, the son of Nitish Kumar.
Nishant is not currently an MLA. But sources said he could enter the cabinet and later contest the assembly seat that would be vacated by his father within six months, as permitted under the rules.
Ministry sharing and speaker dispute
According to the proposed formula, BJP and JD(U) may share cabinet positions equally. Each party could get 15 ministerial posts.
Other allies in the coalition may also receive representation. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Chirag Paswan, could get two posts. One post each may go to Upendra Kushwaha's party and the Hindustani Awam Morcha led by Jitan Ram Manjhi.
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However, no final decision has been taken on the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly. The post is currently held by BJP MLA Prem Kumar.
Some leaders within JD(U) want a senior party MLA to replace him. They argue that without Nitish Kumar as chief minister, the party should hold the Speaker's post to manage any political crisis. BJP leaders, however, prefer to retain control of the position.
Negotiations between the two alliance partners are continuing as they try to finalise the structure of the new government.
