New Delhi, May 6 (IANS) Ahead of the Bihar Cabinet expansion on May 7, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders on Wednesday welcomed reports of former Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U supremo Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar joining the state Cabinet.

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi told reporters that, being a member of the NDA, he will welcome the move if Nishant Kumar is appointed as a Minister in the Bihar Cabinet.

Over allegations of dynasty politics, he said: “So many members of Lalu Yadav’s family have been MLAs and Ministers.”

Union Minister Giriraj Singh added that if the government wants to move towards development, it should have a team to do so.

“It would be a good thing if he (Nishant Kumar) joins the Cabinet. This will be decided by Nitish Kumar and his party (JD-U),” he told IANS.

JD-U leader Sanjay Gandhi said, “Everyone wants him (Nishant) to be included. But Nishant Kumar has said that for now, he wants to work in the party organisation.”

“It will be a good thing if he is included in the Cabinet. The entire NDA will welcome him.”

About the Cabinet expansion, JD-U national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan asserted that the NDA received a huge public mandate to form the government in Bihar.

“The oath ceremony has been organised to express gratitude to the people. They will witness the formation of the government, which will work towards taking Nitish Kumar’s legacy forward,” he said.

LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Arun Bharti said: “This (Cabinet expansion) is the prerogative of the Chief Minister and our party President, Chirag Paswan. Whatever direction he gives will be acceptable to all of us. Rather than speculating on this, it is better to wait; everything will become clear tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Congress MP Tariq Anwar also congratulated Nishant Kumar over his likely induction into the Bihar Cabinet.

He said: “It is his and the party’s (JD-U) decision. I extend my best wishes to him.”

While Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has already taken the oath alongside Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav from the JD-U, the upcoming expansion will finalise the distribution of portfolios.

Sources indicate that the Cabinet expansion will focus on caste balance, regional representation, and inclusion of both experienced leaders and new faces across alliance partners, including JD(U), BJP, LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM(S), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.

–IANS

cg/uk