By Kavita Sharma
Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Patna, May 7, 2026: A major political development unfolded in Bihar on Thursday as the cabinet of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was formally expanded in a grand ceremony held at Gandhi Maidan, Patna.
A total of 32 leaders from the ruling NDA alliance took the oath of office as ministers.
The swearing-in ceremony turned into a significant political spectacle with the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, former Chief Minister Nishant Kumar, and several senior NDA leaders.
Thousands of supporters gathered at the venue, marking the event a major show of strength ahead of the upcoming elections.
NDA attempts broad social balancing in the cabinet expansion:
The cabinet expansion has been carefully structured around Bihar’s complexcaste andsocial equations.
The NDA leadership has attempted to balance representation among Extremely Backward Class (EBCs), OBCs, Dalits, Mahadalits, upper caste communities, women and minorities.
According to the cabinet composition, 10 ministers belong to EBC, 6 ministers represent OBC communities, 7 ministers come from Dalit communities, 9 ministers from upper caste communities, and 1 Muslim minister has been included.
Political observers believe the exercise reflects the NDA’s broader electoral strategy aimed at consolidating support among decisive social blocs in Bihar politics.
Balancing among NDA allies in Samrat Choudhary’s cabinet:
The distribution of ministerial berths also highlighted coalition management within the NDA as 15 ministers from the BJP, 13 ministers from the JDU, 2 ministers from the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), 1 minister from Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and 1 minister from Rastriya Lok Morcha.
The cabinet expansion is being viewed as an effort to maintain political equilibrium among alliance partners while preparing for future electoral battles.
New faces get a major opportunity:
A notable feature of the expansion was the inclusion of several fresh faces.
The JDU inducted Nishant Kumar, who is the son of former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Sailesh Kumar alias Bulo Mandal, and Sweta Gupta.
The inclusion of Sweta Gupta is being interpreted as a message in support of enhancing women’s participation in politics.
The BJP also introduced several first-time ministers, including Mithilesh Tiwari, Ramchandra Prasad, Nandkishore Ram, and Kumar Sailendra.
The Samrat Choudhary cabinet now includes five women ministers, with the JDU accounting for the highest number among them.
Analysts believe the move is intended to strengthen the NDA’s outreach among women voters while projecting a progressive political image.
Full list of ministers sworn in in the cabinet expansion:
Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain first administered the oath to Shravan Kumar, Vijay Kumar Sinha, Dilip Jaiswal, Nishant Kumar, and Leshi Singh.
This was followed by Ram Kripal Yadav, Nitish Mishra, Damodar Rawat, Sanjay Singh Tiger, and Ashok Choudhary.
Subsequently, the oath was administered to Bhagwan Singh Kushwaha, Arun Shankar Prasad, Madan Sahani, Santosh Kumar Suman, and Rama Nishad.
Finally, the remaining ministers who took oath included Ratnesh Sada, Kumar Sailendra, Sheela Kumar Mandal, Kedar Prasad Gupta, Lakhendra Kumar Roshan, Sunil Kumar, Shreyasi Singh, Jama Khan, Nandkishore Ram, Pramod Kumar, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Sanjay Kumar, and Deepak Prakash.
Political message ahead of elections:
Political analysts view the cabinet expansion as more than a routine administrative exercise.
The NDA has clearly attempted to send a strong social and electoral message by balancing caste representation, alliance interests, and women’s participation.
With the new cabinet now in place, the focus will shift toward governance, implementation of development schemes, and maintaining political cohesion ahead of the crucial electoral contests in 2029.
Also Read: CM Samrat Choudhary heads to Delhi amid buzz over Bihar cabinet expansion.
EOM.
