NDA Finalises Bihar Cabinet Formula: BJP to Get Bigger Share, Nitish Kumar to Stay CM

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalised the power-sharing arrangement for the new Bihar government, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) set to receive a larger share of ministerial positions while Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) will continue as Chief Minister, sources said on Sunday.

The decision was taken at a high-level NDA meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. According to the agreed formula, the BJP is likely to nominate 15–16 ministers, while the JD(U) is expected to get around 14 berths in the cabinet.

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), which won 19 seats in the recent elections, may secure three cabinet positions.

Smaller Allies Also Included

Other NDA allies are also set to be accommodated:

• Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) — 1 ministerial berth (won 5 seats)
• Rashtriya Lok Morcha — 1 ministerial berth (won 4 seats)

Sources indicated that the coalition applied a formula of one ministerial post for every six MLAs.

The oath-taking ceremony is expected to take place on November 19 or 20.

NDA’s Dominant Win

The results, declared on Friday, saw the NDA sweeping the Bihar Assembly elections with 202 out of 243 seats. The BJP emerged as the single largest party, winning 89 seats and achieving nearly a 95% strike rate. JD(U) secured 85 seats.

Meanwhile, the opposition Mahagathbandhan—comprising the RJD, Congress, and Left parties—struggled, failing to cross 35 seats in total. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, despite contesting 238 seats, failed to win any. AIMIM secured five seats.

Opposition Blames Voters’ List Revision

After the defeat, the Congress questioned the role of the Election Commission, alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters’ list was “hurried” and contributed to their poor performance.

Within the opposition alliance, several leaders called for introspection, criticising the concentration of decision-making in a few hands.

BJP Says Mandate Favours NDA

The BJP said the mandate reflected public approval of the SIR and rejected the opposition’s allegations of unfair electoral practices. The party also claimed that the result would boost NDA’s prospects in upcoming elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.