• Source:JND
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Just a day before the Cabinet expansion in Bihar, the Janata Dal (United) has pushed for a bigger share in the new Cabinet, seeking 16 berths.

JDU state president Umesh Kushwaha on Wednesday opened up on the party's demands after he was asked by journalists about the JD(U)'s expectations about its share in the expanded cabinet.

He replied, "said the party has made it clear that it wants 16 seats. Earlier, it was anticipated that JDU would get more Cabinet seats as the chief minister post had gone to the BJP. However, reports on Tuesday stated that the BJP was likely to get 12 berths while the JDU was to get 11.

Bihar can have 36 ministers, govt expected to operate with 30

The Constitution stipulates that the Council of Ministers must not exceed more than 15 per cent of the total strength of the assembly. The Bihar assembly has 243 members and hence can have 36 ministers, including the CM.

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Reports suggest that the strength of the Cabinet after the upcoming expansion would rise up to 30. Former CM Nitish Kumar had also run a truncated Cabinet with 27 ministers.

Besides the JD(U) and the BJP, which at present has only Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary in the new cabinet, the NDA in Bihar includes Chirag Paswan-led LJP(RV) and Jitan Ram Manjhi-led HAM. Besides Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha's RLM.

They are also expected to get a berth each in the Samrat Cabinet.

The council of ministers in Bihar is set to undergo an expansion on Thursday at a grand function in Patna. The event is likely to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president Nitin Nabin, among others.

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Bihar JDU chief on Nishant Kumar

Umesh Kushwaha was also asked about the potential induction of Nishant Kumar, son of Nitish Kumar, into the Cabinet.

He replied, "The party always wanted Nishant to become a minister. He could have been a deputy CM right away. But we should appreciate his sensibilities. He has decided to shun positions of power for the time being and concentrate on strengthening the organisation."

(With PTI Inputs)


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