The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): Jitan Ram Manjhi, the founder of Hindustani Awam Morcha and former chief minister, has demanded the allocation of two departments for their respective MLAs ahead of the cabinet expansion in Bihar. The cabinet expansion is scheduled to take place on February 5th, and department allocations will also be finalized on the same day.
Manjhi stated, “Cabinet expansion will happen on February 5, and departments will also be allotted on the same day… I have been saying this from the beginning if independent MLAs have always been allotted a department then HAM has five MLAs, so we should definitely be given two departments.” He further mentioned that they have discussed this proposal with CM Nitish Kumar, Nityanand Rai, and Home Minister Amit Shah, and are hopeful that their demands will be met.
Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary also hinted at an upcoming cabinet expansion. He mentioned, “It (cabinet portfolio allotment) will happen soon. CM (Nitish Kumar) will have to decide on this, and it (cabinet portfolio allotment) will happen soon… Definitely, there will be an expansion (of Cabinet).”
This development comes after Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar returned to the NDA and formed a new government in the state, leaving the Mahagathbandhan and the opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A. On January 28th, Nitish Kumar, along with eight ministers, took oath, comprising three from the BJP, three from the JD-U, one from HAM, and one independent.