Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to expand his NDA cabinet in the coming days, coinciding with the end of the traditional "dark month" marked by Makar Sankranti celebrations. This strategic move follows months of coalition negotiations and aims to bolster governance ahead of key political milestones.

Makar Sankranti, observed today across Bihar with kite-flying and til-gud feasts, signals the close of the inauspicious "dark month" (Kharmas) in the Hindu calendar. Political activity traditionally ramps up afterward, and Nitish's team has timed the expansion perfectly—recent Delhi huddles with PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah cleared the decks. Sources indicate the oath-taking could happen as early as this week, filling gaps left by recent reshuffles.

The expansion will likely induct up to nine new faces: six from JD(U) and three from BJP, nearing the state's 36-minister limit. This addresses overburdened portfolios—ministers like Vijay Chaudhary currently handle multiple departments—and prioritizes underrepresented groups such as EBCs (over 36% of Bihar's population), Nishads, and women leaders. Vacancies from Nitin Nabin's national shift will also get filled, promising faster decision-making on local issues.

Beyond balancing caste equations, the reshuffle eyes efficiency gains similar to Nitish's 2022 expansion, which streamlined departmental outputs by 20-30%. For Bihar's NDA alliance, it's a preemptive strike to unify the base before upcoming elections. With recent cabinet nods to projects like the Indrapuri Reservoir, fresh ministers could accelerate rural development and infrastructure rollouts.