Bihar cabinet expansion soon, says deputy CM

Bihar deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad said that much-awaited state cabinet expansion is likely to happen soon. He denied reports of hurdles of cabinet expansion and said that the ministers in the present cabinet are discharging their responsibilities well.

New Delhi: Decks have been cleared for the expansion of the recently formed cabinet in Bihar and the same would take place in near future, deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad said on Thursday.

He denied reports of hurdles of cabinet expansion and said that the ministers in the present cabinet are discharging their responsibilities well.

Speculations are rife in the political circles that BJP national spokesman Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, who has been fielded by the party in the by-poll on the legislative council seat vacated by former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, could get a berth in the state cabinet.

Responding to the murder of IndiGo Airlines Manager Rupesh Kumar Singh which has triggered shockwaves in Patna, BJP leader said, "The accused in the murder case won't be spared and police are investigating the matter and the arrests will be made soon. No criminals can get away in Bihar after committing such crimes, we have 'Kanoon Raj' in the state."

The leader said that the upcoming budget will be for the overall development of the state, adding that the state faced a crisis of internal resources during the pandemic.

"We are committed to the development of the people and the Central government is providing all aid to the state. The state is rapidly adapting the path of growth," he added.

It has been the contention of the JD(U), which had been the senior coalition partner in the state until the assembly elections, that it has not lost its support base as evident from its vote share and that the steep decline in its tally was to be blamed on the rebellion from LJP headed by Chirag Paswan whom the BJP failed to rein in.

The opposition has alleged that there are rifts between BJP and JD(U) which is delaying the expansion of the cabinet. There are also accusations that one minister has been given five portfolios which has disrupted the functioning of the state.