Bihar CM Oath: The NDA is compelled to field ministers from 11 districts; where will the change happen? This is the gift of the Bihar election results.

The 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections have presented the National Democratic Alliance with a significant gift, making it extremely difficult to manage with only the Chief Minister and 36 ministers. Therefore, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the largest party in the Bihar Assembly, faced the most intense pressure this time. The formalities of electing Nitish Kumar as the NDA legislative party leader were completed before Home Minister Amit Shah arrived. Following this, personal calls began to finalize the list of ministers. Until late at night, no one knew the names of the candidates. No one was willing to reveal their own. So, before the list arrives Thursday morning, ready to be sworn in at the Raj Bhavan, let's understand the extent of the NDA, especially the BJP's compulsion.

Major changes are certain in the BJP's list, with the JDU likely to repeat its stance.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's party, the Janata Dal United, did not focus on face-lifting when distributing tickets. On the other hand, the BJP did not hesitate to deny the tickets of sitting MLAs, including ministers. It was predicted that it would suffer losses, but this time, all the speculation remained in vain. However, the results are not easy for the BJP to dismiss. Even in areas and districts that had previously maintained a BJP-free status, voters have reposed their faith in the NDA this time.

The problem is that, based on 15% of the 243 seats in the Bihar Assembly, there can be 36.45, or 36, ministers. The Lalu-Rabri government had a jumbo cabinet, but the rules restrict this to 36. In the previous government, 29 MLAs, including the Chief Minister, were ministers, along with seven MLCs. This time, two MLCs, Samrat Chaudhary and Mangal Pandey, have become MLAs. The Chief Minister is already an MLC. Thus, while the JDU is looking to repeat most of its candidates when selecting 35 of its 36 ministers, the BJP is preparing to give opportunities to new faces. Among these, former Union Minister Ramkripal Yadav is a prominent name. Furthermore, new faces are bound to emerge from the LJP and RLSP. HAM MLC Santosh Kumar Suman will again become a minister.

The BJP's responsibility has increased, and the need for coordination remains the same. Preparing the list of ministers has been a difficult task for the BJP because, as the largest party, it also has the greatest responsibility this time. In this election, the JDU was in a separate quota within the NDA, while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha were in the BJP's quota had reported well before the seat-sharing agreement that the NDA parties would contest the elections under this formula. Now, this principle is also being implemented in the formation of the Council of Ministers. This is why the JDU held a separate meeting and the BJP held a separate meeting. The other three parties have coordinated with the BJP because the leaders of two of the parties—Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi—are ministers in the central Narendra Modi government, while the leader of the third party, Upendra Kushwaha, is waiting in the same queue.

Now, consider the districts where it seems necessary to appoint ministers.

In Saran, the NDA held three out of ten seats. Amanour's BJP MLA, Krishna Kumar Mantu, was a minister. This time, the NDA won seven seats. In Vaishali, the NDA held four out of eight seats, but there were no ministers. This time, the NDA won seven seats. In Khagaria, the NDA held two out of four seats, but there were no ministers. This time, all four MLAs are with the NDA. In Bhagalpur, the NDA held five out of seven seats, but there were no ministers. This time, all seven MLAs are with the NDA. In Bhojpur, the NDA held three out of seven seats, but there were no ministers. This time, the NDA won all seven seats. In Buxar, the NDA held none of the four seats, but there were no ministers. This time, the NDA won three seats.

The NDA did not win a single seat out of the seven in Rohtas. Later, Congress's Murari Prasad Gautam came to power, supporting the ruling party. This time, he became an MLA from the LJP-R. Upendra Kushwaha's wife, Snehlata, also became an MLA from here. This time, the NDA won six seats. The NDA did not win a single seat out of the six in Aurangabad. This time, the NDA won five seats. One of the five seats in Nawada was with the NDA. Before the elections, two RJD MLAs appeared with the NDA. One was even fielded by the JDU, who won. This time, the NDA won four seats in Nawada. The NDA held four out of seven seats in Katihar. Deputy Chief Minister Tar Kishore Yadav previously held this seat, but he was not included in the second government. This time, the NDA has six MLAs here. The NDA held two out of four seats in Madhepura. There were no ministers from here. This time, the NDA has won three seats.

Districts that are not expected to get ministers, however...

Even the single seat in Shivhar was not in the NDA's kitty. Later, the then RJD MLA came to power during the majority test last year. He was not a minister. This time, this is the only seat in the NDA's kitty. None of the four seats in Kishanganj were in the NDA's kitty. This time, only one seat was won. Gopal Agarwal became the JDU MLA from Thakurganj. The NDA did not win either of the two seats in Arwal. This time, all seats are in the NDA's kitty. The NDA did not win any of the three seats in Jehanabad. This time, only one seat went to the NDA. The appointment of ministers from these districts is a major surprise.

Increasing the quota is difficult due to their MLC status.

There are three districts in Bihar whose quota will remain mixed. The NDA held two out of three seats in Munger. Tarapur MLA Mewalal Choudhary was sworn in at the time of government formation, but he was immediately removed due to his record of corruption. This time, Legislative Councilor and Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary became the BJP MLA from Tarapur. This time, all three seats are in the NDA's account. Similarly, the NDA held two out of eight seats in Siwan, but there were no ministers. This time, the NDA won seven seats. Minister Mangal Pandey won from here and entered the Assembly. He was a Legislative Councilor. The quota could be increased based on the increased number, but considering Mangal Pandey as part of this district, the number could be reduced without increasing the number. The NDA held one out of two seats in Sheikhpura. There were no MLAs or ministers. This time, both seats are in the NDA's account. If Ashok Choudhary, a symbol of Sheikhpura, is brought into the Council of Ministers through the Legislative Council quota, Sheikhpura's quota will automatically be considered full.