BJP–JDU Tussle in Bihar Ahead of Swearing-In: Both Claim Speaker’s Post, Home and Finance Ministries

Patna (The Uttam Hindu): After the NDA’s victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, preparations for forming the new government have accelerated. Meanwhile, reports suggest that the BJP and JDU disagree over who will hold the Speaker’s post, as both parties are staking their claim to it. JDU leaders Sanjay Jha and Lalan Singh have reached Delhi for discussions. Differences also remain between the two parties over the Home Department, while both BJP and JDU are also claiming the Finance Ministry. Efforts are underway in Delhi to resolve these issues before the swearing-in ceremony.

A grand swearing-in ceremony will be held at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, which will be attended by PM Narendra Modi and several chief ministers from NDA-ruled states. The ceremony is expected to take place on 20 November, when Nitish Kumar will take oath as Chief Minister. According to sources, an agreement on ministerial allocation within the alliance has almost been reached. The formula of one minister for every six MLAs may be applied to divide the portfolios among different parties. Around 20 ministers may take oath along with Nitish Kumar on 20 November, while 14 more ministers may be inducted later, making a total expected strength of 34 ministers in the cabinet.

Talks between JDU and BJP are still ongoing regarding key portfolios such as Speaker, Home, and Finance. If LJP is given the Deputy Chief Minister’s post, the number of its ministerial seats may decrease. Around 20 ministers will take oath alongside the Chief Minister during the ceremony, and the cabinet will be expanded afterward. A special session of the Assembly may be convened between 24 and 28 November, where the government is expected to prove its majority.