As NDA secured a massive victory in Bihar elections, discussions have started on formation of the government among the alliance partners. As per reports, a formula has been devised to calculate the number of ministries to be allotted the parties, based on the number of their MLAs.
It is almost certain that Nitish Kumar will remain the CM, despite BJP winning more seats than JD(U). However, BJP may get more berths at the cabinet, as it has 4 more MLAs than JD(U). As per reports citing sources, NDA is following a ‘one minister for every six MLAs’ formula to allot ministries to the alliance parties.
Apart from BJP and JD(U) with 89 and 85 seats, the other alliance parties are Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas Paswan) (19 seats) led by Chirag Paswan, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (5 seats) led by Jitan Ram Manjhi and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (4 seats) led by Upendra Kushwaha.
If the 1-for-6 formula is true, BJP will get 15-16 ministers, JD(U) 14 ministers, LJP 3 ministers and HAM and RLM one minister each.
Before formation of the new government, CM Nitish Kumar will resign to dissolve the current government. He has called a cabinet meeting on Monday to approve the dissolution of the government. In the meanwhile, Election Commission is submitting the results of the election to governor Arif Mohammad Khan today, after which the new Assembly will be notified and the Model Code of Conduct formally lifted.
As per reports, swearing-in ceremony could take place on November 19 or 20, depending on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schedule. Preparations are underway at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan for the ceremony. Senior NDA leaders and NDA chief ministers are expected to attend the oath taking ceremony.
In the meanwhile, alliance leader and Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan on Sunday said that the government will be formed before November 22. The Union Minister said that discussions are going on among alliance parties over formation of the new cabinet.
Talking to reporters, Paswan said, “It will be done soon. Discussions are going on. A sense of clarity will come on the blueprint of the government. I think by tonight, I will also speak with senior Union Ministers, and the blueprint will be ready by today or tomorrow. We have to form the government before 22nd November. It will be done.”
He further said that “a sense of clarity” would come only after the blueprint is ready.
It is notable that the tenure of the Bihar Legislative Assembly is scheduled to end on 22 November. Rashtriya Lok Morcha leader Upendra Kushwaha also said that things would become clear in the next two to four days.
The formal process of formation of the government will begin after the newly elected MLAs reach Patna in two-three days after collecting their victory certificates from the Election Commission.
