Buzz in Patna: BJP 'homes in' on key ministry

Patna, Nov 16 (IANS) Despite Nitish Kumar managing to retain the CM's chair, his role may change this time. It was clear during the swearing in ceremony at Raj Bhawan on Monday when two likely deputy chief ministers from the BJP shared pride of place next to Kumar.Now, speculation is rife that the key home ministry portfolio may go away from the JD(U).According to a top BJP source, the portfolio of home may go to one of the two deputy chief ministers from the saffron party. As per normal procedure, the home ministry portfolio is retained by the chief minister himself. In case the home ministry goes to the BJP, the party will have direct control over the police.There is another theory that the finance ministry may come to the saffron party in case Kumar decides to retain home. The BJP has an upper hand in state after becoming the single-largest party within the NDA. The JDU managed just 43 seats in the recently concluded assembly elections and the BJP 74.
--IANS ajk/ash