Bihar Cabinet Expansion: Shahnawaz Big Face Equivalent To CM
Bihar Cabinet Expansion: Shahnawaz is a big face equivalent to CM Nitish, which department will get the question in the Bihar cabinet.
Shahnawaz Hussain, who was once a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government at the Center, has given rise to many speculations by making Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a Legislative Councilor (MLC) in Bihar.
The big question is, which chair will be given to him in the upcoming Bihar Cabinet Expansion. It is believed that Shahnawaz can be given a big portfolio in any cabinet. He is considered to be the face of BJP in Bihar, equivalent to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (CM Nitish Kumar).
BJP face equivalent to Nitish in NDA
Shahnawaz will be the biggest face of BJP in Nitish Kumar Government of National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In view of this, it is being said that it is possible that they may be given some other big responsibility.
Shahnawaz has been a Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Government of the Center along with the current Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The BJP is seeing a strong face in them in Bihar NDA equivalent to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
He has also become the Muslim face of BJP during the last Bihar assembly elections, accusing him of ignoring Muslims. But the question is, which chair will be given to him in the Nitish cabinet.
Party will get help, many departments in discussion
If the BJP has brought its central level leader in the politics of Bihar, then its meaning will be explored. It is believed that Shahnawaz could be given some important portfolio in the cabinet. They are being speculated to be given to a big department with the BJP.
Finance, commercial tax, road and health are many departments in the discussion. Finance and Commercial Taxes have been with the Deputy Chief Minister of BJP quota so far, while the road and health department have also lived with the big leaders of BJP.
However, no support has come from BJP to confirm these political speculations. The BJP’s restrained statement is simply that Shahnawaz’s arrival will strengthen the BJP in Bihar.
Long-term strategy behind bringing Shahnawaz to Bihar
It is believed that the BJP has a far-reaching strategy behind bringing Shahnawaz Hussain to Bihar. He may also be given some other responsibility in Bihar.
How and how much BJP uses, remains to be seen
Talking about Bihar BJP, there is no face compared to his stature. The profile of both the Deputy Chief Ministers of BJP quota is also weak in front of Shahnawaz.
The special thing is that not a single Muslim MLA could reach the House after winning from BJP and JDU in Bihar. Recently, JDU has replaced a Muslim MLA who has been a party-change.
In such a situation, it is certain that Shahnawaz will emerge as the Muslim face of BJP in the House. They can also be helpful in blunting the minority politics of the opposition grand alliance. It remains to be seen how much and in what form BJP uses them.
Shahnawaz’s political career, a look
Looking at Shahnawaz’s political career, he contested from Shahnawaz Kishanganj in 1998 and lost. Further elections were held in 1999 when Shahnawaz became MP and Minister of State in the Central Government.
In September 2001, he was made Cabinet Minister of the Civil Aviation Department. From 2003 to 2004 he became the Cabinet Minister of the Ministry of Textiles. Shahnawaz has the credit of becoming the youngest Union Minister in the country.
Shahnawaz lost in the 2004 general election, then won the Bhagalpur seat in the 2006 by-election. He won again in Bhagalpur in the 2009 parliamentary election.
Shahnawaz lost in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections during the Modi wave. After this, he was away from the mainstream of parliamentary politics. The BJP made him a national spokesperson.
