Patna: Preparations are in full swing for the swearing-in ceremony of new ministers in the chief minister Samrat Choudhary cabinet at Gandhi Maidan on May 7.As top BJP leaders were engaged in elections in West Bengal and other states, Samrat, along with two JD(U) ministers, had taken the oath of office at Lok Bhavan in a simple ceremony on April 15. This followed JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar stepping down as chief minister the previous day to hand over leadership of the NDA govt to the BJP.BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi said on Tuesday that the Patna Mahanagar unit and local MLAs have been tasked with decorating the route from Patna airport to Gandhi Maidan with flags and banners to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and other cabinet colleagues and NDA leaders attending the function. The Prime Minister may land at the venue by helicopter. The event is significant as the BJP now has its own chief minister in Bihar for the first time despite sharing power with JD(U) for nearly two decades.With the Bihar cabinet allowed up to 36 ministers, including the chief minister, the NDA is likely to follow a 16+16+2+1+1 formula. At least six berths may be kept vacant to accommodate new faces “depending on the situation,” a BJP source said. On Thursday, 12 BJP legislators are expected to take oath along with 11 from JD(U), which already has Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav as deputies to the chief minister. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is likely to retain its two ministers in the previous govt. Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Santosh Kumar Suman said the list would be finalised by Wednesday evening, while Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) led by Upendra Kushwaha will get one berth.Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements are being put in place across the city due to the Prime Minister’s visit. The district magistrate and SSP inspected preparations at Gandhi Maidan and also visited the BJP state headquarters to review the programme with Saraogi. Strict security protocols are being enforced in and around the venue and the party office. Traffic DSP Anil Kumar said traffic around Gandhi Maidan will be restricted on the day, and the general public will enter through gates number 6 and 7.Saraogi, who also held a meeting with party leaders and legislators at the party office to plan the reception for dignitaries, said Union health minister J P Nadda, BJP national president Nitin Nabin and former chief minister Nitish Kumar will attend the ceremony. A large number of BJP workers from across Bihar have been invited, with the aim of showcasing the party’s rise to power in the state before a gathering expected to run into hundreds of thousands.
