By Vishwapati
Patna: The Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar expanded its cabinet on Wednesday, with seven ministers from the BJP quota taking the oath of office. This expansion reflects the party’s careful consideration of caste dynamics in the state.
A total of seven MLAs were sworn in as ministers in Nitish Kumar’s cabinet, all of whom were nominated by the BJP. Among them, two ministers hail from Darbhanga district, while two others represent the Tirhut division. Additionally, one minister each from Patna, Purnia, and Saran divisions were inducted into the cabinet.
The newly appointed ministers include Vijay Kumar Mandal, MLA from the Sakti assembly seat in Araria district; Jivesh Mishra, MLA from the Jaale seat in Darbhanga district; Sanjay Saraogi, MLA from the Darbhanga seat in Darbhanga district; Motilal Prasad, MLA from the Riga seat in Sitamarhi district; Raju Kumar Singh, MLA from the Sahebganj seat in Muzaffarpur district; Dr. Sunil Kumar, MLA from the Biharsharif seat in Nalanda district; and Krishna Kumar Mantu, MLA from the Amanour seat in Saran district.
Through these appointments, the BJP has sought to address caste representation, with each minister belonging to a different community. The new ministers include one Rajput, one Bhumihar, one Kurmi, one Kewat, one Kushwaha, one Teli, and one from the Marwari community. Specifically, Krishna Kumar Mantu represents the Kurmi caste, Vijay Mandal the Kewat caste, Raju Singh the Rajput caste, Jivesh Mishra the Bhumihar caste, Dr. Sunil Kumar the Kushwaha caste, Motilal Prasad the Teli caste, and Sanjay Saraogi the Marwari community.
There had been speculation that the BJP might include a Yadav caste MLA to challenge the traditional Yadav vote bank of the RJD, but this did not materialise in this expansion. Instead, the party has given opportunities to three upper-caste leaders and four from backward castes.
Educational background of the new ministers
Among the seven new ministers, two—Krishna Kumar Mantu and Vijay Kumar Mandal—have completed their 10th standard education. Motilal Prasad is a 12th pass, while Dr. Sunil Kumar holds an MBBS degree. Sanjay Saraogi and Jivesh Mishra are postgraduates, and Raju Singh has a PhD.
This cabinet expansion underscores the BJP’s strategic focus on caste representation and regional balance in Bihar’s political landscape.
The author, Vishwapati, is a senior journalist based in Patna. He may be contacted at vishwapati25@gmail.com
