Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​The Council of BJP: On the Bihar Council of Ministers

​The Council of BJP: On the Bihar Council of Ministers

Nitish Kumar and JD(U) are no longer in command in Bihar

The composition of the newly sworn-in Council of Ministers in Bihar, and the distribution of portfolios, reflect the ongoing realignment (पुनर्संरेखण, पुनर्संयोजन) of power between the BJP and the JD(U). JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar retains (बनाए रखना) the post of Chief Minister, even though his party finished second to the BJP in the Assembly election. However, for the first time in his nearly 20 years as Chief Minister, he is not in charge of the Home Department. Samrat Choudhary, one of the two BJP Deputy Chief Ministers, now controls this administratively powerful ministry. Vijay Kumar Sinha, the other Deputy Chief Minister, has been assigned revenue, land reforms, mines and geology, further consolidating (समेकित करना) the BJP’s control over critical administrative levers (A rigid bar used for prying or lifting; a means of exerting influence or achieving a particular purpose). The BJP holds 14 of the 26 ministerial berths and controls key departments including health, law, road construction, urban development, and agriculture. The BJP has effectively taken a decisive step in formally inverting the hierarchy (पदानुक्रम) of its alliance with the JD(U) in its favour. While the BJP was the larger party even in 2020, Nitish Kumar retained crucial ministries. The social justice plank and the composition of the previous Assembly gave the JD(U) room to keep an alliance with the RJD open. But the overwhelming sweep of the National Democratic Alliance this time has not only placed the BJP firmly on top but has also made any exploration (अन्वेषण) of alternatives by the JD(U) difficult, if not impossible.

Nitish Kumar is battling ill-health; while he remains indispensable (अपरिहार्य, अनिवार्य) for the BJP, the party is also carefully planning its long-term path. It has built a wide and deep caste coalition, seeking to reach communities that have traditionally viewed the JD(U) as their platform. The induction of Ram Kripal Yadav, a former Lalu Yadav loyalist who joined the BJP, signals that Yadavs too can have a place in the party. Through clever social engineering and administrative manoeuvring (A movement or series of moves requiring skill and care; a carefully planned scheme or action), the BJP has now positioned itself at the pole position of Bihar politics. But the real challenge ahead is good governance. The BJP may claim that its repeat victory is a popular endorsement (समर्थन) of its previous government, but the State remains behind on many development indicators (सूचक). The true test for the new Council will be whether it can pull Bihar forward. Bihar is home to nearly a tenth of India’s population, and the State’s development can positively influence the entire country. The Council should confront the substantial (पर्याप्त) governance deficit (घाटा) honestly and work to address it with active support from the Centre.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Realignment (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – पुनर्संरेखण, पुनर्संयोजन
English Meaning – The action of changing or restoring to a different or former position or state; a shift in political allegiances or voting patterns.

2.Retain (Verb)

Hindi Meaning – बनाए रखना
English Meaning – To continue to have (something); keep possession of; to keep in one's memory.

3.Consolidate (Verb)

Hindi Meaning – समेकित करना
English Meaning – To combine (a number of things) into a single more effective or coherent whole; to strengthen or make firm.

4.Hierarchy (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – पदानुक्रम
English Meaning – A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.

5.Exploration (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – अन्वेषण
English Meaning – The action of travelling in or through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it; the analysis of an issue or a concept.

6.Indispensable (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning – अपरिहार्य, अनिवार्य
English Meaning – Absolutely necessary; essential.

7.Endorsement (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – समर्थन
English Meaning – The act of giving one's public approval or support to someone or something; a signature on the back of a cheque.

8.Substantial (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning – पर्याप्त
English Meaning – Of considerable importance, size, or worth; strongly built or made.

9.Deficit (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – घाटा
English Meaning – The amount by which something, especially an amount of money, is too small.

10.Indicator (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – सूचक
English Meaning – A thing, especially a trend or fact, that shows the state or level of something; a sign.

11.Lever (Noun)

English Meaning – A rigid bar used for prying or lifting; a means of exerting influence or achieving a particular purpose.

12.Manoeuvre (Noun)

English Meaning – A movement or series of moves requiring skill and care; a carefully planned scheme or action.