Patna. The blueprint for the first cabinet expansion of the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government in the state is almost ready. On August 16 (Tuesday), the new ministers will be administered the oath. About 30-32 ministers from JDU, RJD, Congress, CPI and HAM quota are likely to be included in the new cabinet. Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who returned on Saturday from a two-day stay in Delhi, met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar late in the evening.

According to sources, there was a detailed discussion between the two leaders regarding the possible form of the cabinet. Congress and HAM will be made ministers from JDU quota, while CPI is likely to be given place from RJD quota. According to the strength of the Legislative Assembly, the maximum number of ministers can be 36.

Bihar Congress in-charge Bhakta Charan Das said in Delhi on Saturday that the number of ministers of his party's quota in the new Mahagathbandhan government of Bihar has been decided through talks and the cabinet expansion may take place on August 16. However, he declined to say how many ministers from the Congress quota would join the Nitish Kumar-led government. By the way, it is believed that in proportion to the strength of the numbers, three Congress MLAs will be made ministers in the new government. The Congress leadership is asking for four to five posts.

On the other hand, the CPI(ML), which has 12 MLAs in the Assembly, made it clear that it would not be a participant in the Grand Alliance government. Party's national general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and said that Male would support the new government from outside. In the grand alliance of seven parties, the CPI has also spoken of joining the government.

Talks were held with the top leaders of the constituent parties of the Grand Alliance, Madam Sonia Gandhi, Sitaram Yechury, D Raja. We also took blessings of RJD President Lalu Prasad. Everything is being decided. The names of RJD ministers are also being finalised. Soon the process of cabinet formation in Bihar will be completed.

it's fixed. The number of ministers will be based on our strength in the house. We haven't decided the names yet. Cabinet expansion may happen on August 16.

- Bhaktacharan Das, Bihar in-charge of Congress

The election of the chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council will be held on August 25. Nominations will be taken for this till 12 noon on August 24. The nomination application will be submitted to the Secretary of the Legislative Council. As soon as the approval of Governor Fagu Chauhan is received, all the Legislative Councilors will be duly informed about it. With the change of power in the state, the Legislative Council will also get a new chairman. Under the equation, the post of Speaker in the Assembly is to be given to RJD. In such a situation, the post of the Chairman of the Legislative Council will be filled by JDU.