Nitish Kumar's cabinet to be expanded tomorrow; BJP bags 9 berths, JDU 8: Sources

In a matter of relief for Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, sources report that BJP-JDU cabinet is likely to be expanded tomorrow. With only 14 ministerial berths filled including Chief Minister, sources report that BJP is set to get 9 berths - which include new MLC Shahnawaz Hussain, while JDU will get 8 berths. state cabinet can have up to 36 members, but expansion has been put off by BJP, as claimed by Kumar.

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Recently, Nitish h said that discussion took place on expansion of newly formed cabinet in state, ding that BJP was yet to give its "prastaav" (proposal) from BJP which has largest number of MLAs in ruling NDA. Sources say that re h been a tussle between Kumar and BJP over issue of representation of his JD(U) and saffron party.

While BJP is said to have been demanding a lions share, Kumar is said to have been keen on a formula in which saffron party and JD(U) h equal representation. It has been contention of JD(U), which h been senior coalition partner in state until assembly elections, that it has t lost its support base as evident from its vote share and that steep decline in its tally was to be blamed on rebellion from LJP heed by Chirag Paswan whom BJP failed to rein in.

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JD(U)'s reduced clout

Banking on Nitish's 15-year consecutive term, NDA h flaunted his '7 promises', listing various schemes and development work carried out by his government in past tenures during poll campaign. Faced with anti-incumbency, NDA mand to eke out a majority winning 125 seats, compared to Mahagathbandhan's 110 seats with BJP emerging with an edge over JDU. Nitish's stature was reduced as his party won only 43 seats - down from 71 in 2015, while BJP bettered its tally winning 74 seats. BJP furr asserted its dominance, by shifting Nitish's preferred deputy - Sushil Modi to Rajya Sabha and installing two deputy CMs - 4-time MLAs Tarkishore Pras and Renu Devi inste.

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Bihar cabinet expansion likely soon: Nitish