PATNA, Nov. 17 -- The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to follow the old formula of one ministerial berth for six legislators as leaders of the grouping are engaged in negotiations to give shape to the new Bihar cabinet after the landslide win of the ruling alliance in the assembly elections, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said on Sunday. "In terms of numbers, one ministers each will be from the RLM and HAM, three from the LJP-R and the rest 30 to 31 would be distributed between the BJP and the JD-U. Some ministerial posts can be left vacant for future alignments. There could be also changes in the two Deputy CMs from the BJP, as it happened the last time. The cabinet may see young, talented faces, women along with some experienced ones. NDA has been running the government under Nitish Kumar since 2005 and there is no problem," he added. The leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that the only change in the previous formula could be about certain departments that have so far always been with the Janata Dal United or the BJP as they may go to other constituents of the alliance. The five-party NDA logged a record score of 202, beating back two decades of anti-incumbency using a cocktail of cash transfers for women, welfare outreach, smart campaigning and chief minister Nitish Kumar's longstanding goodwill among marginalised castes to post a historic victory - its best showing since 2010. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) posted its highest vote share (20.08%) and second-highest seat share (89) in the only north Indian state it has never had a chief minister in. Kumar is set to be sworn in a record 10th time, and for a consecutive fifth term. JD-U leaders on Sunday said that Kumar is set to take oath at a grand show, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attending the event. They did not give a date for the oath taking ceremony but added that it would be fixed "as per the availability of the Prime Minister". Modi had signed off his election campaign on November 9 at Chanpatia in West with a promise to come for oath ceremony after NDA's big victory, which has happened. "Till then, the other formalities would be completed. The Election Commission will formally submit the list of elected members to the Governor Sunday evening. That is the first step. The last cabinet meeting of the present government will be held on Monday and after that Nitish Kumar will meet the Governor to tender his resignation, after which the process for the new government formation will get underway," a senior JD-U leader said on condition of anonymity. The leader added that the blueprint of the cabinet is being given final shape and the formula for distribution of miniseries among the alliance partners has been broadly decided, as it could have a new look blending old with new faces to live up to the "enormous responsibility" that has come with the huge mandate. The selection of Speaker will also be key, it could go to the BJP. Senior leaders from the state from both the parties, including Rajya Sabha member and JD-U working president Sanjay Jha, Union minister Lalan Singh, Bihar BJP incharge and union minister Dharmendra Pradhan and senior leader Vinod Tawde, were in Delhi for consultations with the BJP top brass. Union minister Nityanand Singh met Nitish Kumar at the latter's residence on Sunday apart from other NDA leaders. "Everything will be done in the next few days. Consultations are going on, as the big mandate means big responsibility to carry on with Bihar's developmental journey with greater speed and on a larger scale. The new government will take shape soon," said Jha on his return to Patna from New Delhi. BJP state chief Dilip Jaiswal said that everything was being worked out and the oath ceremony would happen soon. "It is just a matter of days," he added. The term of the Bihar Assembly ends on November 22 and before that the election process has to be concluded. The 17th Legislative Assembly of Bihar was constituted on November 23, 2020. The legislature party meetings of all parties and later the joint meeting of the NDA will be held on Monday and Tuesday to elect the leader after which Nitish Kumar will stake his claim before the Governor with the joint letter of support, NDA leaders aware of the developments said. Nitish Kumar's son Nishant Kumar, who was widely speculated to step into politics but did not, on Sunday said that the results were a validation of the hard work of his father in the last 20 years. "I thank the people of Bihar for giving this kind of mandate. Bihar's development journey will continue. The credit goes to the people for rewarding my father for his good work for the state," he added....