PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet, which was expanded on Tuesday, has three women ministers - Leshi Singh, Sheela Kumari (both from JD-U) and Anita Devi (RJD). Even the previous NDA government in the state had three women ministers. The new cabinet has five Muslim ministers, up from two in the previous NDA government.
Though women constitute nearly half the population in the state, their representation in politics remains weak. Leshi and Sheela have retained the portfolios they were handling in the NDA government. While food and consumer protection department is with Leshi, Sheela has once again been made the transport minister. JD(U) state spokesperson Anjum Ara said of the seven women MLAs in the party, two have been made ministers.
The RJD has given ministerial berth to only one woman - Anita Devi. In the previous NDA government, Renu Devi of BJP was in the cabinet apart from Leshi and Sheela. However, Renu Devi was also holding the important portfolio of deputy CM.
On the other hand, the representation of Muslims has increased from two to five in the new cabinet. Earlier, Zama Khan of JD(U) and Syed Shahnawaz Hussain of BJP were the only two Muslim faces in the NDA government. JD(U) has retained Zama Khan as minister and he will continue to head the minority welfare department.
RJD has inducted three Muslims in the cabinet - Shahnawaz Alam, Shamim Ahmad and Mohammad Israil Mansoori.
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