Bihar Cabinet's Dark Mirror: Wealth and Crime Unveiled

A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms reveals that nearly half of the reconstituted Bihar Cabinet ministers face criminal charges, and 90% are crorepatis. It analyzed 31 ministers, highlighting substantial wealth and varied educational backgrounds, ahead of the 2025 elections. Women remain underrepresented, comprising only 14% of the ministers.

In a striking revelation, the Association for Democratic Reforms has shed light on the composition of Bihar's reconstituted Cabinet, exposing a mixture of criminal records and immense wealth among its ministers. The report scrutinized the self-declared affidavits of 31 out of 35 ministers, including Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, in anticipation of the 2025 Assembly and Legislative Council elections.

A staggering 48% of the analysed ministers have declared criminal cases against them, with serious charges looming over 29%. The analysis highlighted financial affluence, revealing that 90% are crorepatis. The average asset value among these ministers stands at Rs 6.32 crore, with Rama Nishad of the BJP leading with assets worth Rs 31.86 crore.

Educational and demographic diversity were also noted. While educational qualifications spanned from Class 10 to postgraduate levels, women continued to face significant representation challenges, holding just 14% of the Cabinet positions. This report surfaces as a critical perspective on Bihar's political landscape.