NEW DELHI: Expansion of the Nitish Kumar ministry in Bihar is likely on Tuesday with more than 18 new ministers set to take oath. According to sources, the BJP brass cleared the names of party legislators to be inducted in the ministry, which was forwarded by party president JP Nadda to CM Nitish Kumar on Monday.
βThe swearing-in will take place on Tuesday,β said a party source, adding that the names were finalised after a discussion held by PM Modi with home minister Amit Shah and Nadda. Sources said the two NDA allies β Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Vikassheel Insaan party (VIP) β will get berths in proportion to their strength in the assembly. Both parties have four members each in the house and one each has already been accommodated.
It was learnt that the principal allies, BJP and JD(U), will stick to the portfolios that are with their ministers. While BJP will accommodate VIP from its quota, JD(U) will take care of HAM. Earlier in the day, Nitish Kumar said the delay in cabinet expansion was because he was waiting for the list of legislators who will become ministers from the BJP quota.