Patna: In a major shake-up, Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar today pumped fresh blood in his 28 month-old ministry by inducting 19 new faces in his cabinet and dropping ten "under-performing" ministers.

Two ministers of state and 17 ministers of cabinet rank and were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor R S Gavai at Rajbhavan. Of them, 13 were from JD(U) and six belonged to BJP.

Kumar, who had earlier said that he would expand his ministry "any day any time", sought resignations of his entire council of ministers this morning. Barring his deputy, S K Modi, all 25 ministers complied enabling Kumar to form a new team.

Of them, Kumar accepted resignation of ten ministers, eight from JD(U) and two of BJP and retained the rest.

After induction of 19 ministers, the strength of the new-look cabinet rose to 36.

The eight JD(U) ministers were dropped for unsatisfactory performance, a senior party functionary pleading anonymity said.

The dropped BJP ministers were Health Minister Chandra Mohan Rai and Arts and Culture Minister Janardan Singh Sirgriwal.
Source : PTI