Nitish Kumar is poised to make history as he prepares for his swearing-in ceremony for the tenth time as the Chief Minister of Bihar. The event, scheduled for Thursday, promises to be significant, with the presence of notable figures including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and key leaders such as Amit Shah and JP Nadda. Additionally, union ministers and chief ministers from various states are expected to attend, underscoring the importance of this occasion.
The recent Bihar elections in 2025 saw the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Kumar's Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), achieving a remarkable victory. The alliance secured an impressive 202 of the 243 assembly seats. In this electoral contest, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party, clinching 89 seats, while the JD(U) followed closely with 85 seats. Other parties, such as the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha, contributed to the assembly's composition with 19, 5, and 4 seats respectively.
Prior to this momentous occasion, Nitish Kumar, aged 75, officially resigned from his position as Chief Minister, paving the way for his new term. He initially submitted his resignation on Wednesday and sought the governor's approval to form a new government, backed by a letter of support from all NDA coalition partners. Following his resignation, Kumar was re-elected as the leader of the JD(U) and subsequently reestablished himself as the leader of the NDA in Bihar.
The new cabinet is expected to comprise 18 ministers, including two deputy chief ministers, as suggested by a BJP leader familiar with the ongoing developments. On Wednesday, the BJP elected Samrat Choudhury as its legislature party leader and Vijay Kumar Sinha as the deputy leader, indicating that both will serve as deputy chief ministers in the new administration.
Nitish Kumar's political journey has been marked by numerous alliances and shifts in loyalty, yet he has maintained his role as Chief Minister throughout these transitions. His upcoming swearing-in ceremony not only cements his status in Bihar's political landscape but also signifies the continued influence of the NDA in the state government. As the state prepares for another chapter under Kumar's leadership, the focus will be on the policies and initiatives that will shape Bihar's future.