Nitish Kumar: According to sources within the party, the Janata Dal (United) is expected to obtain two posts in the future cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They have proposed the names of two seasoned leaders – Lalan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur.
Lalan Singh, elected to the Lok Sabha from Bihar’s Munger constituency, brings significant experience to the table. On the other hand, Ram Nath Thakur, a Rajya Sabha MP and the son of the late Bharat Ratna recipient Karpoori Thakur, also holds considerable political stature.
This decision was reached during a crucial National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting held to finalize the cabinet positions ahead of tomorrow’s swearing-in ceremony.
Sources indicate that Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) had requested two cabinet berths following their success in securing 12 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. Additionally, another crucial ally, Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP, is aiming for four portfolios along with the post of parliamentary speaker.
Mr. Kumar and Mr. Naidu have emerged as key players after the BJP managed to secure only 240 seats, falling short of the 272 required for a majority government. Despite this, the NDA coalition achieved a significant victory by clinching 293 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha. As a result, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to take the oath for a historic third consecutive term on Sunday.
The coalition negotiations harken back to a time before 2014 when PM Modi stormed to power with a clear BJP majority, a period where alliance partners negotiated positions and benefits.
Speculation of a dramatic reunion between Nitish Kumar and the INDIA bloc emerged on Tuesday evening as it became evident that the BJP wouldn’t secure the 272 seats needed on its own. Senior leaders of the INDIA bloc, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, hinted at extending an olive branch to Nitish Kumar.
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On Thursday, sources close to Nitish Kumar dismissed the possibility of a reunion with the INDIA bloc but left a subtle warning: as both sides negotiate over the allocation of ministerial berths, the BJP leadership was reportedly reminded of Nitish Kumar’s past actions. They pointed out that Nitish Kumar had walked out of the INDIA bloc previously due to delays in naming him as its Convenor.