Patna: In one of the most significant political realignments in nearly two decades, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has ceded the home department to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — the first time since 2005 that his government will not control the state’s internal security portfolio. The decision marks a clear indication of the BJP’s growing dominance in Bihar after securing its best-ever performance in the recent assembly election.
A day after being sworn in as chief minister for a record tenth term, Nitish finalised the distribution of portfolios on Friday, revealing a cabinet structure that places substantial administrative influence in the BJP’s hands. Deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary, now entrusted with the home ministry, becomes one of the state’s most powerful leaders overnight, reflecting the party’s assertive posture in the new coalition.
While the BJP takes charge of home affairs, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) has retained the finance ministry. Veteran JD(U) leader Bijendra Prasad Yadav — now a nine-term MLA from Supaul — will manage the crucial department, signalling the chief minister’s intent to maintain control over fiscal policymaking. In the previous government, the finance portfolio had been with Samrat Choudhary.
The shift in the home ministry is especially symbolic given Nitish Kumar’s long-standing reputation for restoring law and order in Bihar, contrasting sharply with the “Jungle Raj” narrative associated with earlier regimes. However, towards the end of Nitish’s previous tenure, even allies like Union minister Chirag Paswan criticised the rising crime rate in the state. The BJP, too, frequently attacked the opposition RJD and Congress over alleged illegal infiltration in the Muslim-dominated Seemanchal region — making its control of the home department strategically significant.
Out of 26 ministers sworn in on Thursday, only 18 have been allocated portfolios so far. The second deputy chief minister, Vijay Kumar Sinha, has been handed revenue and land reforms, along with mines and geology. Senior BJP leader Mangal Pandey will oversee both the health and law ministries.
