In a significant political development, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned from his post on Wednesday, marking a crucial transition in the state's governance. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan promptly accepted his resignation while simultaneously appointing him as the caretaker chief minister until the new government is formally sworn into power.
NDA Unanimously Elects Nitish Kumar as Leader
The political landscape solidified earlier in the day when Kumar was elected as the leader of the NDA legislature party during a crucial meeting of newly elected MLAs from alliance partners. The proposal received widespread support, being formally moved by JD(U) senior leader Vijay Choudhary and seconded by prominent BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha.
The consensus extended beyond the major parties, with MLAs from LJP (RV), HAM, and RLM also throwing their weight behind Kumar's leadership. JD(U) minister Shrawon Kumar confirmed the unified support from all alliance constituents, highlighting the strengthened coalition dynamics.
Staking Claim to Form New Government
Immediately following his election as NDA leader, Kumar proceeded to Raj Bhavan accompanied by senior alliance figures. The delegation included Union minister Chirag Paswan, RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha, and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. Their mission was twofold: submit Kumar's resignation and formally stake claim to form the new government.
Before the scheduled oath ceremony, Kumar is expected to present a formal letter of support from all NDA constituents to the governor, cementing his position to lead the new administration.
Grand Swearing-In Ceremony Planned
The oath-taking event promises to be a spectacular affair at Gandhi Maidan, with several top-tier national leaders confirming their attendance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads the distinguished guest list, accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and chief ministers from various states.
Ministerial Berths Finalized Among Allies
Intense negotiations have yielded consensus on key positions within the new administration. Sources indicate that BJP's Prem Kumar is likely to assume the role of Assembly Speaker, while the Deputy Speaker position is expected to go to JD(U).
The new Cabinet will feature significant representation from both major alliance partners and smaller constituents. According to PTI sources, five to six new faces will join the Cabinet from BJP and JD(U), with smaller partners receiving designated berths.
LJP (RV) is anticipated to secure three ministerial positions, while HAM and RLM are expected to receive one berth each. The sworn-in ministers will include up to 16 from BJP and 14 from JD(U), including Nitish Kumar himself.
From JD(U), several senior leaders emerge as strong contenders for ministerial positions, including Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Shrowan Kumar, Sunil Kumar, Lesi Singh, Sheila Mandal, Madan Sahni, Ratnesh Sada, Mohammad Zama Khan, Jayant Raj, Umesh Singh Kushwaha, and Ashok Chowdhary.
BJP sources indicate continuity in the cabinet, with most ministers from the outgoing administration expected to retain their positions. The party is also considering new additions, potentially including former IPS officer Anand Mishra, Rana Randhir, Gayatri Devi, and Vijay Kumar Khemka.
This political transition represents another pivotal moment in Bihar's political narrative as the NDA prepares to return to power with a refreshed cabinet and redefined equations among alliance partners.
