Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Nov 19: Bihar is poised for a major political reset as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to resign on Wednesday, paving the way for the formation of a fresh NDA government that is likely to see him return as chief minister for a record tenth time. The grand swearing-in ceremony has been scheduled for Thursday, November 20, at 11 am at the historic Gandhi Maidan, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several national dignitaries are expected to be present.
Although there has been no formal announcement naming Nitish Kumar as the next leader, statements from leaders within the JD(U) and the BJP strongly indicate his return, with hints of “surprise elements” in the new cabinet lineup.
The current Bihar Assembly completes its term on November 22, and the 18th Assembly will be constituted on or before that.
Sources in the BJP confirmed that Thursday’s event may be the grandest oath-taking ceremony Bihar has witnessed, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, and several chief ministers of NDA-ruled states expected to attend.
Nitish Kumar met Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Monday and conveyed the cabinet’s recommendation to dissolve the outgoing Assembly. Senior JD(U) leader Vijay Kumar Chowdhary confirmed that Nitish would submit his resignation today, formally triggering the process of government formation.
Both the BJP and the JD(U) will hold their legislature party meetings today, during which the final decision on the chief minister and deputy chief ministers will be taken. Nitish Kumar is expected to be elected as the JD(U) legislature party leader at 11 am, and later as the NDA leader at 3:30 pm, before submitting his resignation to the Governor.
Speculation continues on whether Bihar will have one or two deputy chief ministers this time. In the outgoing administration, Samrat Choudhury and Vijay Kumar Sinha served as deputies.
While both have been re-elected, the JD(U) is reportedly pushing for a single deputy CM if the BJP insists on retaining the Speaker’s post.
A senior NDA leader hinted that the new cabinet may witness significant reshuffling with “surprise elements” expected. “With such a massive mandate, the NDA may opt for a team that blends youth with experience while maintaining the social balance,” the leader said.
Under the likely formula of one minister for every six MLAs, smaller allies like RLM, HAM(S), and LJP(RV) are expected to secure representation, while the BJP and JD(U) will share around 30–31 berths. The Bihar cabinet can have a maximum of 36 ministers, including the chief minister.
If sworn in tomorrow, Nitish Kumar will embark on his 10th term as Bihar’s chief minister. Since 2005, he has worked with six deputy chief ministers — five from the BJP and one from the RJD. This will be the fourth major oath-taking ceremony at Gandhi Maidan, barring the pandemic year of 2020 when the event was shifted to Raj Bhawan.
As discussions continue, both the BJP and the JD(U) are eyeing the crucial Home portfolio, which was previously held by the JD(U). The Education department, also under JD(U) earlier, is emerging as another bone of contention.
In the recent Assembly elections, the NDA delivered a landslide victory, bagging 202 of the 243 seats. The BJP won 89 seats, JD(U) secured 85, LJP(RV) got 19, HAM(S) won 5, and RLM bagged 4. The Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD and Congress, was reduced to a meagre 35 seats.