Patna: Nitish Kumar is set to take oath as Bihar’s Chief Minister for the tenth time on November 20, with a major public ceremony scheduled at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan. Preparations are in full swing for what is expected to be one of the state’s largest political events in recent years, with officials estimating that around 150,000 people may attend.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari and first-time MLA Maithili Thakur, who won from the Alinagar constituency, are slated to perform at the ceremony. Their cultural programme is expected to run for nearly two hours and will include traditional Bihari folk performances such as Jat-Jatin, Jhijhiya, and Sama-Chakwa. The cultural segment is due to begin at 11am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the ceremony, alongside governors, chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, Union ministers, and senior NDA leaders.
To accommodate the scale of the event, three stages are being built at Gandhi Maidan. The main dais will host the Prime Minister, the Governor, Nitish Kumar, and other top leaders. A second stage has been designated for VIP guests, while a third will be used by performing artists. VVIPs will enter through Gate No. 1, with Gate No. 4 earmarked for other dignitaries. An iron barricade has also been installed behind the main stage as part of the security arrangements.
Multiple entry points, including Gate No. 10, will be opened for the general public. All gates will be equipped with metal detectors, with attendees required to pass through security checks. Water ATMs and tankers are being installed inside the ground to ensure drinking water availability for the crowd.
Administrative teams are currently stationed at the venue, reviewing stage construction, security planning, seating arrangements, and the movement routes for VVIPs. With German hangar-style pandals being erected and security preparations intensifying, officials say the site is nearly ready for the swearing-in ceremony.
