Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has finalised the distribution of portfolios in the 26-member cabinet of the newly formed NDA government, giving Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas) a strong presence with two important ministries. The allocation highlights the party’s growing influence within the ruling coalition.
LJP (Ram Vilas) MLA, Sanjay Paswan from the Bakhri constituency in Begusarai district, has been given charge of the Sugarcane Industry Department. A first-time MLA, Paswan entered the assembly after Bakhri was declared a reserved seat and won by a margin of more than 17,000 votes against Suryakant Paswan.
Sanjay Singh, MLA from Mahua in Vaishali district, has been appointed Minister of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). His win in the assembly polls was significant, as he defeated RJD’s Mukesh Kumar Roshan, while Tej Pratap Yadav — former minister and son of Lalu Prasad Yadav — ended in third place. With PHED responsible for improving drinking water and sanitation facilities across Bihar, Singh’s position is expected to play a major role in public welfare initiatives.
The decision to allocate PHED and the Sugarcane Industry Department to LJP (Ram Vilas) ministers indicates the NDA’s strategy of maintaining balance among its alliance partners. As both portfolios are closely tied to rural development and essential services, the performance of these ministers is likely to influence early public opinion about the new government.
