Nitish Kumar to take oath as CM for record 10th time on Nov 20

JD (U), BJP both keen on Assembly Speaker’s post

- MPOST BUREAU

With the swearing-in ceremony of the new NDA government in Bihar slated for November 20, allies are locked in last min ute talks on the formation of the Cabinet and a few ticklish issues still remain to be resolved. Nitish Kumar is all set to take oath as Chief Minister for the 10th time in a row.

While the contours of the new Cabinet are taking final shape with hectic parleys among the allies, sources have indicated that JD (U) is reportedly keen on retaining the powerful Home portfolio which has been held so far by Nitish Kumar. Efforts are on to evolve a consensus over the post of Assembly Speaker among the NDA partners as both the BJP and the JD(U) are staking their claim to the post.

In the outgoing Assembly, BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav served as Speaker, while JD(U)’s Narendra Narayan Yadav held the position of Deputy Speaker. Sources indicated that both the JDU and the BJP were also trying to get the Speaker's post. In the NDA's landslide victory, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, followed by the JDU with 85. Smaller allies, including Chirag Paswan’ party, HAM and the RLM, also performed well, taking the tally to 202 in the 243-member Assembly.