Modi Cabinet 3.0: JD(U) Expects 2 Cabinet And 1 Minister Of State Berths In The Union Cabinet

Speculation abounds as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, with Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi at its helm, is poised to be formed on Sunday, with indications suggesting that its key ally, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), which has secured 12 members of Parliament (MPs), is expected to receive at least two cabinet and one minister of state (MoS) rank berths.

Among the top probables for the cabinet berths are JD(U)'s Munger MP, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, a close confidant of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, and Rajya Sabha MP Ramnath Thakur, an extremely backward classes (EBCs) leader.

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JD(U) expectations In Modi Cabinet 3.0

Thakur, the son of former chief minister Karpoori Thakur, who was posthumously conferred the Bharat Ratna a few months ago, stated in New Delhi on Saturday that he had no information regarding the possibility of being appointed a Union minister and affirmed his commitment to working by the directives of CM Kumar, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The names of Sanjay Jha and Sunil Kumar, newly elected MP from Valmiki Nagar, both close confidants of Nitish Kumar, have also emerged as probable candidates for cabinet berths from the JD(U) quota, according to sources familiar with the matter. Chirag Paswan, leader of Lok Jan Shakti-Ram Vilas (LJP-RV) with five MPs, is likely to secure one ministerial berth, with junior Paswan himself expected to assume the role of a cabinet minister. Speculation also suggests that the party is eyeing a MoS berth.

Jitan Ram Manjhi, chief of Hindustan Awami Morcha (secular) and Gaya MP, may also be considered for a ministerial berth. Political circles are abuzz with the notion that the BJP and its NDA allies have devised a formula whereby one cabinet berth is allocated for every 5 MPs, with a MoS position for every 2 MPs. Accordingly, JD(U) is anticipated to receive two cabinet berths and an additional MoS post for its extra 2 seats, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Senior party leaders have indicated that JD(U) may strive to maintain caste balance in its ministerial nominees, ensuring representation for upper castes, EBCs, and OBCs. Social welfare minister and senior JD(U) leader Madan Sahani expressed hope for obtaining portfolios such as railways and agriculture, anticipating three to four ministerial berths for the party.

There is a strong likelihood that JD(U) may secure the agriculture ministry, with the party expressing interest in portfolios related to infrastructure development, agriculture, rural development, and railways during discussions with BJP leaders. Several names from the Bihar BJP, which has secured 12 MPs, are under consideration. Speculation suggests that the BJP may introduce new faces from Bihar into the Union cabinet, retaining only one or two existing members, as per media reports.

Contenders for ministerial berths include Giriraj Singh, Nityanand Rai, Pradeep Kumar Singh, Sanjay Jaiswal, Vivek Thakur, and Radha Mohan Singh, among others. Moreover, there is speculation surrounding Shambhavi Choudhary, first-time MP from Samastipur and daughter of state minister Ashok Choudhary, as a potential candidate for a ministerial berth in the rank of MoS from her party LJP(RV), led by junior Paswan, contingent upon LJP(RV) securing two berths in the Union cabinet.