Patna: The political scene in Bihar has seen a significant shift. Samrat Chaudhary, the recent Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, now oversees the police force, a role that Nitish Kumar hasn’t delegated to an ally for the last 20 years. However, this notable change also highlights a persistent reality: Nitish continues to manage the transfers and postings of IAS and IPS officers, the key administrative tools that dictate who holds actual power in the state. After Friday’s cabinet expansion, the Chief Minister assigned portfolios to 26 ministers, entrusting the important Home Department to Chaudhary, one of the two deputy chief ministers from the BJP.
This appointment has enhanced the BJP leader’s position and provided the party with unparalleled control over law and order. Nonetheless, the transfer of power is not complete. Nitish Kumar has kept the General Administration Department (GAD), considered the core of Bihar’s bureaucracy. The GAD oversees all vital decisions related to the state’s senior officials, including postings, promotions, and disciplinary actions, affecting IAS, IPS, BAS, and BPS cadres. Traditionally, Bihar’s Chief Minister has maintained control over this department, ensuring a strong hold over the administrative framework, regardless of political affiliations. Presently, any promotion or transfer of IPS officers within the Home Department necessitates Nitish Kumar’s consent, effectively allowing him to influence the state’s law enforcement structure.
Analysts suggest that this dual arrangement creates a unique situation: while Chaudhary appears to lead the Home Department publicly, the Chief Minister’s administrative power enables him to subtly guide the system from behind.