Samrat Choudhary to Lead Expanded Bihar Cabinet: Historic Oath-Taking Ahead

Preparations for the Bihar cabinet expansion under CM Samrat Choudhary are complete, with the ceremony scheduled from May 6 to 8. This follows the NDA's decisive win in the 2025 elections, strengthening their political hold. The transition also sees Nitish Kumar moving to the Rajya Sabha.

Preparations are in full swing for the Samrat Choudhary-led Bihar government's cabinet expansion set to take place at Gandhi Maidan, Patna. According to Union Minister Chirag Paswan, the swearing-in of cabinet ministers has been slated post-assembly elections, with the ceremony anticipated on May 6, 7, and 8.

"Following the formation of the NDA government under new leadership in Bihar, the cabinet expansion has been on hold until the assembly election concluded. Now, the ceremony is set for the first week of May," Paswan revealed to reporters. A similar grand oath-taking is expected in Bengal, concluding the process for some ministers.

This cabinet expansion comes after the National Democratic Alliance's significant victory, securing 202 out of 243 assembly seats in Bihar. The 2025 election results solidified the NDA's grip with a substantial majority, leaving the Mahagathbandhan with a mere 35 seats.

Among the victors, the Bharatiya Janata Party captured 89 seats, while the Janata Dal (United) won 85. In contrast, the Rashtriya Janata Dal led the opposition with 25 seats, followed by the Indian National Congress with six. Notably, the AIMIM secured five seats, marking their presence in the state.

Nitish Kumar, on March 30, resigned from the Bihar Legislative Council, signaling a shift to the Rajya Sabha. Concurrently, Samrat Choudhary's swearing-in marks the first time a BJP member heads Bihar, succeeding Nitish Kumar's longstanding leadership.

To stabilize the power dynamics within the coalition, JD(U) figures Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav were appointed as Deputy Chief Ministers. Choudhary fortified his position by winning the trust vote in the assembly, signaling unity within the NDA ranks, and completing the state's political transition.

The confidence motion passed smoothly, cementing support from BJP, JD(U), and other NDA allies for Samrat Choudhary. (ANI)