Patna: The first session of Bihar’s 18th Legislative Assembly opened on Monday with a mix of ceremony, symbolism and political theatre, as several first-time legislators took their oaths — including Osama Shahab, son of late RJD leader Mohammed Shahabuddin.
Before the House convened, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav, were formally welcomed at the Assembly portico. The oath-taking session was conducted by Protem Speaker Narendra Narayan Yadav, beginning with ministers and followed by newly elected MLAs.
A First Step Into Politics
Osama Shahab, contesting his first election from Raghunathpur (Siwan) on an RJD ticket, made his debut in the Assembly on Monday. Taking his oath as a member of the House, he stepped formally into the political arena once dominated by his father — a figure whose legacy has long shaped Siwan’s political identity.
A Big Win in First Attempt
Shahab secured a decisive victory in the recently concluded assembly polls. After 26 rounds of counting, he received 88,278 votes, defeating JDU’s Vikas Kumar Singh (79,030 votes) by a margin of 9,248 votes — a strong start that has stirred discussion about his political future.
Can Osama Chart His Own Path?
With his entry into legislative politics, attention has now shifted to whether Osama will be able to move beyond his father’s controversial yet influential legacy and build an independent political identity.
Political observers note that the challenges ahead are substantial:
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strengthening law and order,
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ensuring development in his constituency, and
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translating electoral success into long-term credibility.
