Nitish takes charge in Patna, starts with a team of 26

The JD(U) walked away with a lion’s share of 18 posts, leaving the remaining for the BJP. Of the 16 cabinet rank ministers, the JD(U) has 10. What people were quick to notice, however, was that upper castes were given 10 berths. The Extremely Backward Castes (EBC), a crucial factor this election, have five representatives in the new Bihar cabinet.

The OBC have seven berths, including four Yadavs. Two Muslims—one cabinet and one minister of state—found place in the ministry. Incidentally, of the 26 sworn in today, seven have served as ministers in Laloo Prasad Yadav’s government too.

The huge Gandhi Maidan was packed by the time Nitish Kumar arrived there with a big contingent of NDA leaders, led by former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and L K Advani. Later, Nitish Kumar went to the Secretariat to formally take charge as Chief Minister. Outlining his priorities, Nitish Kumar said that governance, which had ‘‘collapsed’’ in the state, was his top priority. ‘‘Susashan (good governance). By that I mean improving law and order, maintaining harmony in society and development,’’ he said.