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Countdown begins for Bihar cabinet expansion as Samrat meets Shah, top leaders in Delhi
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary is in New Delhi consulting with top BJP leaders over a cabinet expansion. He met NDA leaders including Amit Shah and discussed a possible May 6 expansion, with election results due the following Monday; Nishant Kumar launched a Yatra from Champaran.
Why It Matters
The cabinet expansion will determine representation and governance in Bihar, and could reflect a generational shift within the ruling alliance.
Timeline
6 Events
Background on previous Nitish cabinet and vacancies
May 3, 2026
The article notes that the last Nitish cabinet included eight JD(U) ministers and 14 from the BJP, plus two from LJP and one from HAM-S and RLM, with nine slots vacant that were not filled.
Cabinet expansion schedule and proposed formula discussed
May 3, 2026
Senior NDA leaders indicate the cabinet expansion could take place on May 6, the same day the Bihar cabinet meeting is scheduled. Election results are expected on Monday (May 4). The proposed formula would mirror December’s arrangement: BJP and JD(U) with 16 ministers each, two seats for LJP-RV, and one each for HAM-S and RLM, with not all berths guaranteed in one go.
Nishant Kumar launches Yatra from Champaran
May 3, 2026
Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar launches his Yatra from Champaran to gauge political pulse and showcase development work, signaling no hurry to join the government.
Choudhary calls on Nitish Kumar at Circular Road
May 3, 2026
Before leaving for Delhi, he also called on former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar at his new official residence 7 Circular Road.
Samrat Choudhary meets NDA leaders in Delhi
May 3, 2026
The CM met home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, finance minister N Sitharaman, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav, health minister JP Nadda and other NDA leaders; the meeting lasted about 25 minutes.
Consultations begin in New Delhi ahead of Bihar cabinet expansion
May 2, 2026
CM Samrat Choudhary began consultations with top BJP leaders in New Delhi as part of preparations for the Bihar cabinet expansion, with discussions reportedly continuing over the next two days.