Patna: The cabinet expansion program of the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government is underway. More than 30 MLAs from JDU, RJD, Congress and Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) are taking oath as ministers today. While RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav was not present at the swearing-in ceremony, 16 MLAs from RJD, 11 from JDU, two from Congress, one from HAM and one independent MLA are taking oath as ministers.
Governor Phagu Chauhan is making all the ministers recite the oath of office and confidentiality. First of all RJD’s Vijay Choudhury, Vijendra Prasad Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Afaq Alam and Aloy Mehta took oath as ministers. Later, JDU’s Ashok Choudhury, Rajesh Kumar, RJD’s Ramanand Yadav, Surendra Kumar Yadav and Leshi Singh took oath.
Five more MLAs have taken oath in the third round. These five MLAs include Madan Sahni, Lalit Yadav, Sanjay Jha, Santosh Suman and Kumar Sarbajit, while in the fourth round, Sheela Mandal, Sumit Singh, Sunil Kumar, Chandrashekhar and Sameer Mahaseth have taken oath. In the fifth round, Anita Devi, who is said to be close to RJD leader Rabdi Devi was sworn in as the minister.