The rumored struggle for ministerial seats between coalition partners has not accompanied the start of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term. With ministers representing 24 states, the prime minister has not only ensured cross-regional representation but also balanced out caste desires.
Bihar is evidence; it has eight ministers. Lallan Singh, a Bhumiar leader from the JD-U, has been admitted to the Union Cabinet. Munger lost to Singh, the former president of JD-U. He is regarded as one of Nitish Kumar's closest confidantes.
By suggesting Ram Nath Thakur, the son of Karpoori Thakur, to be a minister in the Union Cabinet, Nitish Kumar has also achieved a balance between the dynamics of the upper and lower castes. Originating from the Nai caste, or barber community, Thakur stands for the Extremely Backward Classes, who have supported Nitish Kumar during elections. Nitish Kumar's oath as a Minister of State is also intended to emphasize his commitment to Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur's socialist ideals. Karpoori Thakur's family has frequently referred to Nitish Kumar as the "Manas Putra" (true successor).
The second skillful balancing move by PM Modi is the appointment of Jitan Ram Manjhi as a cabinet minister. Despite just receiving one seat, Manjhi's Hindustan Awam Morcha was appointed to the cabinet. One of the poorest and most socially backward communities, the Musahar community, is thought to be the target of the move.
The LJP's (Ram Vilas) Chirag Paswan has also been added to the Modi Cabinet. With a 100% strike rate, the 41-year-old has established himself as the rightful heir to the tradition of Ram Vilas Paswan. Chirag's uncle Pashupati Paras had neglected him following the passing of Paswan Sr. MPs, the party emblem, and the party name had all been taken over by Paras. In spite of all the odds, Chirag Paswan secured a cabinet post and all five seats that his party was entitled to in a seat-sharing arrangement.
“I am shocked that my family members tried to break my party and sacrifice the family on the altar of their political ambitions. My father never had any arrogance irrespective of which portfolio he had and I would want to follow his example,” Chirag Paswan told hours after he took oath.
Future Bihar Assembly elections may potentially have an impact on the selection of Bihar Members of Parliament to be appointed to the Union Cabinet.
On Sunday, BJP's Giriraj Singh, a prominent figure from Bhumihar who easily defeated Kanhaiya Kumar in 2019 and 2024, took an oath of office as a Union minister for the second time. “There is no challenge to Giriraj Singh with the induction of Lallan Singh in the Union Cabinet. He (Lallan Singh) is not Bihar’s Bhumihar leader, just the JD-U’s,” When questioned about the inclusion of two tall Bhumihar faces in the Modi Cabinet, a Bihar BJP leader stated.
Satish Dubey, a Brahmin from the BJP, represents the upper caste of Bihar in the Union Cabinet. Dubey, a member of the Rajya Sabha, served as the Valmiki Nagar MP in 2014 and 2019. In the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP thinks he played a part in helping the NDA win support from upper caste voters.
Dubey's elevation to the Union Council is noteworthy at a moment when farmers are feeling resentful of the BJP. He became well-known as a farm activist battling for the rights of the Champaran region's sugarcane growers.
The way the BJP has balanced things out is also seen in Nityanand Rai's role. Yadav leader Rai is thought to be the ideal counterbalance to RJD's Muslim-Yadav narrative. During Narendra Modi's second term, Rai served as MoS Home and collaborated closely with Amit Shah. His increasing prominence within the party is intended to send encouraging messages to the Yadavs in Bihar.
The Union Council's eighth Bihari minister is Raj Bhushan Nishad, a resident of the Mallah community. Nishad, a physician by trade, emerged victorious from Muzaffarpur for the first time. It is intended to appease the Extremely Backward Community to which he belongs by appointing him as a Minister of State. It is also perceived as a challenge to Mukesh Sahni, the leader of the Vikassheel Insan Party, who is currently the most well-known member of the Nishad community.
