Grand cabinet expansion in Bihar on May 7, BJP eyes big political message

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary will expand his cabinet on May 7 at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan. The BJP is planning a high-profile show of strength that could signal a significant shift in the state’s political landscape while also sending a broader political message with national implications.

BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party’s National President Nitin Nabin, former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, along with chief ministers of various states and Union Ministers, are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

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On April 15, Samrat Choudhary was sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister in Bihar, along with two senior JD(U) leaders as Deputy Chief Ministers. The induction of other cabinet members was postponed due to assembly elections in states including West Bengal and Assam. Following the NDA’s victory in three states, preparations are now being made to induct the remaining ministers in a grand ceremony.

The BJP is positioning the event as more than a routine cabinet expansion, projecting it as a significant show of strength that blends historical legacy with contemporary political messaging.

In the 1990s, Lalu Prasad Yadav held a grand swearing-in ceremony at this venue, setting a political precedent. The BJP now appears keen to use the same platform to showcase the NDA’s current strength and future direction.

After many years, the BJP is seeking to revive that legacy in a new form. While Lalu Prasad Yadav’s rise symbolised the dominance of Yadav politics, the BJP is likely to project this event as the emergence of non-Yadav OBC politics. The broader political focus appears to be the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Several new faces are expected to be included in the cabinet expansion, with efforts focused on maintaining caste and regional balance. According to sources, the number of ministers from the JD(U) and BJP quotas is likely to be equal. Some leaders from the 2025 Nitish Kumar cabinet may also see changes in their portfolios.