Patna: Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar’s Chief Minister for the tenth time on Thursday, marking a political milestone after the NDA secured a commanding 202 out of 243 seats in the 2025 assembly election. The oath-taking ceremony at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan was staged with characteristic grandeur, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers and chief ministers from several states.
A total of 27 ministers, including Nitish Kumar, took the oath. Although the cabinet can accommodate 36 positions, nine seats remain vacant for future political adjustments. All eight ministers allotted to the JDU quota were retained from the previous government, leaving the introduction of new faces largely to the BJP and its allies.
Seven new ministers from the BJP
The BJP filled its 14 cabinet berths with a mix of continuity and experimentation—seven experienced faces returned, while seven newcomers were sworn in. The first-timers include Sanjay Tiger, Lakheendra Roshan, Shreyasi Singh, Pramod Chandraavanshi, Rama Nishad, Ramkripal Yadav and Arun Shankar Prasad.
Sanjay Singh Tiger
A debutant MLA from Ara, Sanjay Tiger defeated CPI-ML’s Kayamuddin Ansari by more than 19,000 votes. Known for his sharp oratory, Tiger earned his nickname during his years as a BJP spokesperson. He remains unmarried, a choice he attributes to his life devoted to public service.
Ramkripal Yadav
Once a close aide to Lalu Prasad Yadav, Ramkripal Yadav has travelled a long political road—from RJD stalwart to BJP minister. He won from Danapur after defeating the influential RJD candidate Reetlal Yadav. His parliamentary career spans multiple Lok Sabha terms and a stint in the Union cabinet.
Shreyasi Singh
An international shooter and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Shreyasi Singh secured her second legislative win from Jamui, defeating the RJD candidate by over 54,000 votes. Daughter of the late Digvijay Singh, she brings both sporting pedigree and political legacy to her post.
Lakheendra Kumar Roshan
Roshan, a Dalit leader known for his fiery interventions in the assembly, returns as MLA from Patepur. His prominence rose after a brief suspension in 2023 following a confrontation in the House. The BJP has projected him as a dynamic organisational voice and rewarded him with a cabinet berth.
Rama Nishad
In Aurai, Rama Nishad delivered a striking debut victory, defeating the VIP candidate Bhogendra Sahni by more than 57,000 votes. A former chairperson of the Hajipur municipal council, she represents a politically influential Nishad community lineage and becomes the first woman MLA from her constituency.
Arun Shankar Prasad
A three-time MLA from Khajauli, Prasad is a seasoned figure in the Mithilanchal region. Born in 1960, he has long been active in BJP’s organisational structures. His latest victory over the RJD’s Brij Kishor Yadav paved the way for his induction into the ministry.
Pramod Chandraavanshi
Once associated with the JDU, Chandraavanshi left the party in protest and joined the BJP in 2023. The BJP appointed him MLC soon after and has now placed him in the cabinet—a move aimed at strengthening the party’s reach among Extremely Backward Classes.
Two new ministers from LJP (Ram Vilas)
Chirag Paswan’s LJP(R) secured cabinet positions for Sanjay Kumar and Sanjay Singh, both first-time ministers. Sanjay Singh, notably, defeated Tej Pratap Yadav in Mahua, reversing his 2020 loss in the same seat.
RLM’s Deepak Prakash enters cabinet
Deepak Prakash, son of RLM leader Upendra Kushwaha, has also been inducted despite not being a member of either House. He is expected to be sent to the Legislative Council, where four seats have opened due to ministers being elevated.
The 37-year-old engineer represents the second generation of a politically embedded Kushwaha family. His mother, Snehlata Kushwaha, is an MLA from Sasaram, while his father has served as a Union minister, MP, MLA and MLC.
