The Bihar government is set for a cabinet expansion, with political circles abuzz over the possible entry of the former chief minister Nitish Kumar's son,
Nishant Kumar's possible induction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with senior BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bihar national president Nitin Nabin are likely to attend the event. Nishant Kumar has reportedly agreed to join the Samrat Choudhary government in Bihar, and he is likely to be sworn in at the cabinet expansion function on Thursday, reported news agency PTI, citing a source close to both the ex-CM and his son. The entry of Nishant Kumar, an engineering graduate, into politics took place soon after his father decided to step down as the chief minister, after becoming a Rajya Sabha member. The 45-year-old leader, who joined the JD(U) less than a couple of months ago, gave in to persuasions by senior functionaries of the party, it said. "Ever since he had joined the party, it has been the wish of cadres that Nishant join the government. He could have been appointed as a deputy chief minister last month, but he was hesitant. Finally, he has agreed," the source told PTI on Wednesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President Nitin Nabin on Wednesday arrived in the Bihar capital. Shah, who is also a former BJP president, was received at the airport by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who last month became the first leader from the saffron party to head a government in the state. Besides PM Modi and HM Shah, others who are expected to attend the grand function at Gandhi Maidan are Union ministers Jagat Prakash Nadda and Rajnath Singh, both former BJP presidents, Chief Ministers of many states ruled by the party and alliance partners like Union Minister Chirag Paswan. Prominent among those likely to be inducted from the JD(U) quota are Ashok Choudhary, Shrawan Kumar, and Leshi Singh, all of whom were ministers in the Nitish Kumar government formed after the assembly polls held in November last year. Besides JD(U) and BJP, the cabinet may include representatives from LJPRV and HAM, headed by Union ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, respectively, besides Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha's RLM. (With PTI Inputs)
