Patna/New Delhi: In a testament to his enduring political acumen, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is scheduled to be sworn in for a historic 10th time on Thursday, capping a remarkable electoral rebound for his Janata Dal (United) party and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The ceremony marks a return to the grand stage of Gandhi Maidan in Patna, the same iconic open ground that hosted his inaugurations in 2005, 2010, and 2015, before he opted for more subdued settings at Raj Bhavan during periods of alliance flux and waning influence.
The event underscores Kumar’s revitalized stature following the NDA’s strong showing in the recent state assembly elections—its second-best result ever—where the Janata Dal (United) secured 85 seats, up sharply from a mere 43 in 2020. This surge dispelled earlier doubts about Kumar’s viability within the coalition, affirming his core appeal among voters despite perceptions of fragility. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with senior Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, will join the proceedings, flanked by chief ministers and key allies including N. Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh and Eknath Shinde of Maharashtra. Notably, Modi skipped the 2020 oath-taking, when the NDA narrowly clung to power amid the Janata Dal (United)’s diminished returns.
Around 20 lawmakers are expected to take oath as ministers, within the constitutional cap of 36, as final portfolio negotiations wrapped up late Wednesday with Shah’s arrival in Patna. Incumbent Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, representing backward and upper-caste communities respectively, are set to retain their roles, reflecting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) consistent strategy in balancing social equations—a formula that propelled its candidate slate to victory. The BJP, now the largest single party with 89 seats, re-elected Choudhary as its legislative leader and Sinha as deputy, signaling continuity in the alliance’s power-sharing dynamic.
Discussions between the BJP and Janata Dal (United) addressed competing priorities, such as the former’s interest in the home department—currently under Kumar’s oversight—and the latter’s overtures for the speaker’s position, held by a BJP ally. Yet, sources indicate the current framework will likely persist. From the BJP’s outgoing cabinet, figures like Nitin Nabin, Mangal Pandey, Nitish Mishra, and Sanjay Saraogi are probable retentions, while Janata Dal (United) stalwarts Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Lalan Singh, and Shekhar Kumar are tipped for reinduction, alongside nominees from smaller NDA partners: Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.
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Kumar, 74, was formally chosen as the NDA’s legislative party leader during a gathering of MLAs and executives from its five components. Accompanied by coalition representatives, he submitted the claim to form the government to Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. In the wake of his election, Choudhary emphasized the incoming administration’s commitment to accelerating Bihar’s development agenda, in line with the visions of Modi and Kumar.
This latest chapter in Kumar’s storied career—marked by nine prior stints since 2000—highlights the NDA’s consolidated dominance, with the BJP’s gains amplifying its leverage while bolstering Kumar’s leadership. As Bihar navigates its post-poll landscape, the alliance’s return to Gandhi Maidan, expected to draw massive crowds, symbolizes not just revival but renewed momentum for governance.