Nitish Kumar will officially begin his tenth term as Bihar Chief Minister today, following a triumphant performance by the NDA in the state assembly elections. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at the iconic Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
National leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, are slated to attend the significant event. The presence of chief ministers from several NDA-aligned states, including Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh), Eknath Shinde (Maharashtra), and Mohan Charan Majhi (Odisha), highlights the political importance of this transition.
An Enduring Political Force
At 74, Nitish Kumar has reaffirmed his political strength by leading the JDU and the NDA coalition to a commanding victory in Bihar, achieving their second-best electoral result in the state. This win counters earlier uncertainties about his political standing. After the election, Kumar was elected leader of the NDA legislative assembly by representatives of the BJP, JDU, LJP(RV), HAM(S), and RLM. He subsequently presented his claim to form the government to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.
Cabinet Formation on the Horizon
The formation of the new cabinet is a key focus, with significant anticipation surrounding the deputy chief minister positions. Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, who previously served as deputy CMs, have been elected as the leader and deputy leader of the BJP legislature party, strongly indicating their return to these roles. Mangal Pandey is also a reported candidate for a deputy CM position from the BJP.
It is widely expected that many current ministers will continue in their roles. From the BJP quota, Nitin Nabin, Mangal Pandey, Nitish Mishra, and Sanjay Saraogi are projected to be re-inducted. The JD(U) is likely to keep Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Lacy Singh, and Shravan Kumar as ministers. Cabinet berths will also be offered to members from the three smaller allied parties within the NDA coalition.