Nitish Kumar is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for an unprecedented tenth term today. This significant political event follows the NDA’s resounding victory in the recent assembly elections. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan and is expected to be attended by top national leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are scheduled to grace the occasion. Several chief ministers from NDA-governed states, including Andhra Pradesh’s Chandrababu Naidu, Maharashtra’s Eknath Shinde, and Odisha’s Mohan Charan Majhi, will also be present to witness this milestone.
Enduring Political Powerhouse
At 74, Nitish Kumar has once again demonstrated his strong political influence by leading the Janata Dal (United) and the wider NDA alliance to a significant electoral triumph. This victory solidifies his position despite previous speculations about his political trajectory. Following the election results, Kumar was unanimously elected as the leader of the NDA legislature party. This decision was made during a meeting involving MLAs from all five constituent parties: BJP, JDU, LJP(RV), HAM(S), and RLM. Subsequently, they formally staked their claim to form the government with Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.
Cabinet Selections Underway
Considerable attention is focused on the selection of cabinet ministers, particularly the deputy chief minister roles. Outgoing deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, who were elected as the leader and deputy leader of the BJP legislature party, are widely expected to retain their positions. Mangal Pandey from the BJP is also a strong contender for a deputy CM role.
Reports suggest that many outgoing ministers will likely be reappointed. From the BJP’s allocated ministerial berths, names like Nitin Nabin, Mangal Pandey, Nitish Mishra, and Sanjay Saraogi are frequently mentioned for potential returns. The JD(U) is expected to see Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Lacy Singh, and Shravan Kumar continue in their ministerial capacities. Cabinet positions will also be allocated to representatives from the three smaller allied parties, reflecting the coalition’s strength.