Bihar’s New Government to Be Sworn In on Thursday; PM Set to Attend

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Days after securing a landslide victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, the new NDA government will take oath on November 20 (Thursday) at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan. However, uncertainty persists over whether Nitish Kumar will be sworn in as Chief Minister for a record tenth term.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the ceremony, keeping his campaign promise to “return for the swearing-in of a new NDA government.” Nitish Kumar, backed by all NDA allies to lead the state once again, will chair his last Cabinet meeting at 11:30 am, after which the Cabinet is set to be dissolved. He will then submit his resignation to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan. A resolution authorising him to approach the Governor with the proposal to dissolve the outgoing Assembly has also been drafted, a senior JD(U) leader confirmed.

The transition follows Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal’s meeting with the Governor to submit the list of newly elected MLAs. The NDA swept the polls, winning 202 of 243 seats. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 89 seats, followed by the JD(U) at 85. Chirag Paswan’s LJP (RV) secured 19 seats, while allies HAM and RLM won a combined nine. The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan was reduced to just 35 seats.

JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha, who held discussions in Delhi with senior BJP leaders on government formation, said that details of the new government would be revealed soon. “We are committed to fulfilling all promises made in the NDA manifesto,” he added.

JD(U) Seeks Bigger Share in Cabinet

A senior JD(U) leader said the party expects a larger presence in the new cabinet, citing its significantly improved tally since 2020, when it had fewer than 50 MLAs. He acknowledged, however, that accommodating all alliance partners—especially newer entrants like LJP (RV) and RLM—will pose challenges.

LJP (RV) Eyes Key Role

LJP (RV) chief Chirag Paswan confirmed his party’s intention to join the new government but avoided commenting on speculation that his party may seek the Deputy Chief Minister’s post. In the outgoing government, both deputy CM positions were held by BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha.

Meanwhile, HAM held its legislative party meeting, electing Sikandra MLA Prafull Manjhi as leader. Party chief Santosh Suman reiterated HAM’s full support to Nitish Kumar and said the party was ready “to serve the people of Bihar once again.”

Allies Hold Talks With BJP

HAM chief Jitan Ram Manjhi and RLM president Upendra Kushwaha held separate meetings with Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the BJP’s election in-charge for Bihar. BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde was also present. Both allies are understood to have discussed cabinet representation and their roles in the new government.

RJD in Turmoil After Poll Debacle

As the NDA finalises government formation, the opposition RJD is grappling with intense internal discord. Lalu Prasad Yadav’s daughter Rohini Acharya announced her exit from politics, alleging harassment and accusing some party members of spreading rumours about her kidney donation to her father. She blamed her brother Tejashwi Yadav and his aides, including Sanjay Yadav and Rameez, for her humiliation.

Tejashwi, who retained Raghopur after a closely fought contest, will lead a review of the RJD’s sharp decline—from 75 seats in 2020 to 25 this year. The RJD legislature party will meet at his Polo Road residence in Patna at 2 pm. Defeated candidates have also been asked to attend.