Bihar – Bihar is set to witness a significant political transition as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar prepares to resign on Wednesday, November 19, paving the way for a fresh National Democratic Alliance government. The Bihar new govt will take oath on Thursday at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries expected to attend what promises to be one of the grandest swearing-in ceremonies in the state’s history.
Resignation and Return Timeline
Nitish Kumar, the Janata Dal (United) supremo, will submit his resignation on Wednesday to facilitate the formation of the Bihar new govt, though he is widely expected to return as chief minister for an unprecedented 10th term. The current Bihar assembly’s term ends on November 22, and the 18th assembly must be constituted on or before that date.
The JDU leader is likely to be first elected as leader of the JD(U) legislature party at 11 am on Wednesday, followed by his election as leader of the NDA at 3:30 pm, before tendering his resignation to Governor Arif Mohammed Khan as head of the outgoing government.
Grand Swearing-In Ceremony Planned
The swearing-in ceremony for the Bihar new govt is scheduled to commence at 11 am on Thursday, November 20, at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will grace the occasion along with several Union ministers and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states, making it one of the most significant political events in Bihar’s recent history.
According to a senior BJP leader, the ceremony has been designed to be “the grandest so far,” reflecting the magnitude of the NDA’s electoral victory. This will mark the fourth oath-taking ceremony at Gandhi Maidan, with only the 2020 ceremony being held as a low-key affair at Raj Bhawan due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Suspense Over Leadership Positions
While alliance leaders have hinted at Nitish Kumar’s return as chief minister, no official statement has been issued confirming this. A BJP functionary indicated that confirmation about the chief minister would come on Wednesday when both BJP and JDU hold their legislature party meetings. The Bihar new govt formation process also involves determining the deputy chief minister position, which remains a subject of intense speculation.
In the outgoing administration, two deputy chief ministers served—Samrat Choudhury, representing backward classes, and Vijay Kumar Sinha, a Bhumihar—both of whom have been re-elected. The question now is whether the Bihar new govt will have one or two deputy chief ministers.
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Portfolio and Position Negotiations
The JDU reportedly prefers that if the BJP takes the Speaker’s post, only one deputy CM should be appointed. Sources indicate that discussions on Wednesday will consider issues of representation, including both gender and caste dynamics. Both BJP and JDU are eyeing the home portfolio, which was with the latter in the previous term. The education ministry, previously held by JDU, is also a point of contention.
Formula for Ministerial Positions
For the Bihar new govt, parties are considering a formula of roughly one ministerial position for every six MLAs to maintain balanced representation within the alliance. Under this arrangement, the Rashtriya Lok Morcha and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) are each likely to receive one berth, while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) may get three positions.
The remaining 30-31 positions would be shared between the BJP and JDU. The Constitution limits state cabinet size to 15 percent of the assembly’s total strength. With 243 seats in the Bihar assembly, the state can have a maximum of 36 ministers, including the chief minister.
Surprise Elements Anticipated
A senior NDA leader revealed on Tuesday that some “surprise elements” in the Bihar new govt cabinet are possible, considering how events are unfolding. “The big mandate means a lot of work and NDA may like to have a new look team blending youth with experience without affecting the social equation,” the leader explained, suggesting that the cabinet composition might include unexpected choices.
Historic Electoral Victory
The Bihar new govt formation follows the NDA’s massive electoral triumph in the recently concluded assembly elections. The alliance secured 202 seats in the 243-member assembly, with the BJP winning 89 seats, JDU claiming 85, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) securing 19, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) taking five, and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha winning four seats.
The Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress, was restricted to just 35 seats, marking a decisive rejection of the opposition alliance by Bihar’s voters.
Nitish Kumar’s Political Journey
If sworn in on Thursday, this will be Nitish Kumar’s 10th term as Bihar’s chief minister, cementing his position as the state’s longest-serving chief minister. Since 2005, he has worked with six different deputy chief ministers—five from the BJP and one from the RJD—demonstrating his ability to navigate complex political alliances.
On Monday, Nitish Kumar met Governor Arif Mohammad Khan to apprise him about the cabinet’s decision recommending dissolution of the current legislative assembly. JDU minister Vijay Kumar Chowdhary confirmed that Nitish Kumar would submit his resignation on November 19, formally kickstarting the process to welcome the Bihar new govt.
Final Preparations Underway
As Wednesday approaches, both BJP and JDU are finalizing preparations for their legislature party meetings, which will provide clarity on leadership positions and cabinet composition. Nitish Kumar has been personally inspecting preparations for the oath ceremony at Gandhi Maidan, ensuring that the Bihar new govt begins its tenure with appropriate grandeur and ceremony befitting the historic mandate it has received from the people of Bihar.
