The Janata Dal(United), which has won 16 out of the 17 seats it contested as part of the BJP-led NDA alliance in Bihar, may get three ministerial berths in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet, said sources.
Another NDA ally, Lok Janshakti Party, which won all six seats it contested, is likely to secure a Cabinet berth for party leader Chirag Paswan.
JD(U) sources said party leader and Rajya Sabha member R.C.P. Singh, who is also a close aide of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is likely to get a Cabinet berth in the Modi-led government. Another party leader who won the Lok Sabha election from Munger seat, Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh, is also in contention for a Cabinet slot. “Another party leader from the Extremely Backward Class or the Kushwaha community may make it to the Cabinet as a junior Minister,” a JD(U) leader told The Hindu.
The LJP may have to rest content with one berth. “This time, in place of party chief Ram Vilas Paswan, his son and party leader Chirag Paswan would get the ministerial berth in all likelihood,” said a State LJP leader. Mr. Chirag Paswan retained his Jamui (reserved) seat.