Patna, November 19, 2025 – As the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) prepares to form the new government in Bihar, intense negotiations are underway regarding the allocation of ministerial berths. With the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for tomorrow, November 20, at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, suspense remains over who will get which portfolios in the new cabinet.

Nitish Kumar is poised to take oath as Chief Minister for a record-extending 10th time. He is expected to submit his resignation today to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, along with letters of support from all NDA partners. Following this, the current Assembly will be dissolved, paving the way for the new government. Kumar will be elected as leader of the JD(U) legislature party and then as leader of the NDA.

The NDA secured a decisive victory in the recent Bihar Assembly elections, winning 202 seats in the 243-member House. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 89 seats, followed by JD(U) with 85. The LJP (RV), HAM, and RLM also contributed to the alliance's majority with 19, five, and four seats respectively.

The allocation of ministerial positions among the NDA partners is proving to be a complex task. Reports suggest that back-channel negotiations have intensified, facing last-minute hurdles. A formula of roughly one ministerial position for every six MLAs is reportedly being considered to maintain balanced representation within the alliance. Sources indicate that LJP (RV) may secure three cabinet positions, while HAM and RLM are likely to get one each. It's expected that BJP will have a maximum of 16 ministers and JD(U) will have 14 ministers plus the Chief Minister. The state cabinet can have a maximum of 36 ministers, including the chief minister, due to constitutional limits.

Several leaders are expected to attend the oath-taking ceremony, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, several Union ministers, and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states. The presence of these top leaders underscores the NDA's intention to showcase the Bihar mandate as a significant political endorsement.

While the Chief Minister is widely expected to be Nitish Kumar, speculation is rife regarding who will be the Deputy Chief Minister. The BJP is likely to retain the two Deputy Chief Minister posts and the Speaker's post. The central leadership will decide who will be the Deputy CM and cabinet ministers. Names of probable ministers from BJP include Samrat Chaudhary, Vijay Kumar Sinha, and Mangal Pandey. Probable ministers from JD-U include Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Vijendra Yadav, and Shravan Kumar. Raju Tiwari from LJP (RV), Santosh Kumar Suman from HAM, and Snehlata Kushwaha from RLM are also likely to be ministers.

With the new government set to be sworn in tomorrow, the focus remains on the final allocation of portfolios and the composition of the cabinet. The NDA aims to present a cohesive and effective government that can deliver on its promises to the people of Bihar.