Photo Credit: The Suncity News
New Delhi, June 6, 2024: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is preparing to drive a hard bargain with the BJP as talks intensify over cabinet formation in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third government.
With the JDU winning 12 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar and the BJP unable to form the government on its own, Nitish Kumar’s importance inside the NDA has risen sharply. His arrival in Delhi has drawn significant attention from both political circles and the national media.
Nitish Kumar gathered in Delhi:
On Thursday, several senior JDU leaders began arriving at Nitish Kumar’s residence in New Delhi. Among those who met him were Lalan Singh, Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Jha, Ramnath Thakur, and KC Tyagi. Party president Khiru Mahtato, Alok Kumar Suman, and Ashok Chaudhary. Former MP Mahabali Singh, and others.
While the official purpose of the visit was to congratulate him on the party’s performance, sources indicate that internal strategy discussions also took place, particularly related to the JDU’s role in the upcoming NDA cabinet.
Talks with key ministers:
Some of the newly elected JDU MPs have already reached Delhi, and the remaining are expected to arrive by Thursday evening to attend the NDA parliamentary meeting on Friday.
According to sources, Nitish Kumar is “batting on the front foot” and is expected to push for key ministries. The JDU is reportedly eyeing, Home Ministry or Defence Ministry, Railway Ministry, a portfolio Nitish once held in the Vajpayee government.
Discussions are ongoing on how the party will negotiate its cabinet share, though leaders are refraining from making any official comment.
JDU MP Lalan Singh confirmed the party’s schedule while reaffirming alliance unity.
“The meeting of the JDU parliamentary board will be held on Friday at 10:30 am in New Delhi. We are with the NDA, and we will remain with the NDA.”
Nitish’s emergence as the Central kingmaker:
With the BJP dependent on allies for government formation, Nitish Kumar has effectively emerged as a kingmaker at the Centre. Senior BJP leaders, fully aware of his significance in the new power balance, have been actively engaging with him since he arrived in Delhi.
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EOM.