Patna, Dec 17: The Bihar government on Tuesday swiftly reshuffled key ministerial portfolios following the resignation of senior BJP leader Nitin Nabin from the state cabinet, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted administrative functioning.
Acting on the instructions of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the portfolios vacated by Nabin were promptly reassigned, significantly enhancing the responsibilities of two senior ministers—Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha and Industry Minister Dilip Jaiswal.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has been entrusted with the Urban Development and Housing Department, a crucial portfolio linked to urban infrastructure, sanitation, drinking water supply, smart city initiatives and civic amenities. Officials said the move is expected to accelerate implementation and strengthen monitoring of urban development schemes across the state. Sinha continues to hold the Revenue, Land Reforms and Mining portfolio.
Meanwhile, Industry Minister Dilip Jaiswal, a former Bihar BJP president, has been given charge of the Road Construction Department, one of the state’s most significant infrastructure-related ministries. Several major road and connectivity projects were initiated during Nitin Nabin’s tenure, and ensuring their timely completion will now be a key responsibility for Jaiswal.
Nitin Nabin, the MLA from Bakipur Assembly constituency, assumed the role of National Working President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday. In line with the party’s “one person, one post” principle and in view of his expanded organisational responsibilities at the national level, he tendered his resignation from the Bihar cabinet. The resignation was submitted shortly after he formally took charge at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. Nabin had been overseeing the Road Construction and Urban Development portfolios.
Nabin assumed his new party role in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and outgoing BJP national president JP Nadda. Senior party leaders and workers attended the ceremony, during which Shah and Nadda welcomed him and symbolically handed over the responsibility amid slogans and expressions of support from party cadres.
JP Nadda, appointed BJP national president in 2020, completed his term in 2024 and continues in the role on an extension. He currently serves as the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare. Party leaders at the event praised Nadda’s tenure and expressed confidence in Nabin’s organisational capabilities.
In Bihar, Nitin Nabin is regarded as a prominent leader with experience in both governance and party organisation. His elevation to a national post is being viewed as part of the BJP’s broader organisational restructuring ahead of upcoming political challenges. Party sources said his appointment places him in a strategic position within the central leadership, with speculation that he could be considered for the post of BJP national president in the future.
State BJP leaders welcomed the development, calling it recognition of Nabin’s administrative and organisational experience. With his transition to the national stage, the reshuffle underscores the BJP’s focus on strengthening its organisational framework while maintaining governance continuity at the state level.
