PATNA: Narendra Modi’s first Cabinet expansion has much to do with the next year’s Assembly election in Bihar. The overwhelming representation of the state in the Union Cabinet shows that Bihar is on the political radar of the saffron party.
With the induction of three new ministers, the total ministers from the state is eight now after five long years of UPA II when the state didn’t have any representation in the Cabinet.
Ramkripal Yadav is an influential Yadav leader and his induction into the Cabinet has been done to weaken the hold of Lalu Prasad over the caste--he defeated RJD chief’s daughter Misa Bharati in Patliputra parliamentary constituency.
Earlier, he was considered a close aide of Lalu. His induction is also seen as move by the BJP to win over dominant Yadav voters, who are considered the core voters of the RJD. They constitute about 12 per cent of the state population.
Giraj Singh always known for his controversial statements and a diehard supporter of Narendra Modi from very early stage was preferred from two senior leaders Dr C P Thakur and Bhola Singh, who are in their late 70s. He is also considered a strong critic of Nitish Kumar. He comes from Bhumihar community that had strongly supported the party in the last Lok Sabha polls.
The third minister Rajiv Pratap Rudi was inducted into the cabinet the second time. Earlier, he was minister in Vajpayee government. The young energetic leader also comes from Rajput community that matters a lot in the election.
The saffron party fast cultivating a new social base making an image shift from old loyal voters to dominant and decisive social section that may check newly formed grand alliance in the state.