Big Cabinet Rejig in Bihar: JDU Gains Finance, BJP Gets Home; Shreyasi Singh Appointed Sports Minister
In a significant political development in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reshuffled key portfolios in his cabinet, marking one of the most notable changes in the past two decades. For the first time in 20 years, Nitish Kumar has relinquished the crucial Home Department, transferring it to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The portfolio has now been assigned to Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who will be responsible for overseeing law and order in the state.
The BJP has strategically handed control of the Finance Department to the Janata Dal (United), retaining a balance within the coalition government. Bijendra Yadav, who already manages the Energy Department, has now been entrusted with the Finance portfolio as well, strengthening JDU’s hold over economic decisions. Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Mangal Pandey has been reinstated as the Health Minister, resuming a role he previously held and for which he is widely recognized.
In another notable development, first-time minister and national-level shooter Shreyasi Singh has been given charge of the Sports Ministry, marking an important step in encouraging youth and athletic initiatives under her leadership. HAM’s national president Santosh Suman continues to retain his existing portfolio, as he has once again been assigned the Ministry of Minor Water Resources, indicating stability within the alliance.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has been allotted the Departments of Land and Revenue as well as Mines and Geology, expanding his responsibilities significantly. However, the Agriculture Department, which previously fell under his jurisdiction, has now been reassigned to BJP quota minister Ramkripal Yadav. This adjustment reflects the coalition’s efforts to maintain functional coordination while distributing power more systematically.
Dilip Jaiswal has been appointed as the new Minister of Industries, strengthening BJP’s influence over the state’s industrial development and policy-making. His appointment is expected to bring renewed focus on investment and manufacturing growth in Bihar.
The day began with an important meeting when Samrat Choudhary arrived early at the Chief Minister’s residence carrying the finalized list of portfolios for BJP ministers. Sources confirmed that both leaders discussed the matter for nearly 50 minutes. During this discussion, Choudhary formally submitted the portfolio recommendations on behalf of the BJP to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, marking a decisive moment in the cabinet restructuring process.
Following this, Nitish Kumar chaired a crucial internal meeting with senior JDU leaders to decide the allocation of departments under the party’s quota. This high-level meeting lasted for almost an hour and a half, during which the Chief Minister carefully reviewed the BJP’s requests and discussed the distribution of portfolios among JDU ministers. Key leaders present at the meeting included Lalan Singh, Sanjay Jha, and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary.
The latest reshuffle highlights the growing coordination between the JDU-BJP coalition while also underscoring the delicate balance required to govern Bihar effectively. Cabinet reshuffles in Bihar often signal major political recalibrations, and this move is being closely observed by political analysts across the state. The decision to transfer the Home Department to the BJP is especially significant, as it reflects a major shift in administrative control and signals deeper trust within the alliance.
As Bihar continues to navigate its political and administrative challenges, the new distribution of responsibilities is expected to shape the state government’s functioning in the coming months. The reshuffle also sets the stage for future political strategies ahead of upcoming elections and policy developments, marking this as one of the most consequential cabinet changes in recent years.
