Patna: Political developments in Bihar indicate a possible leadership transition in the state government as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar prepares to take oath as a Rajya Sabha member on April 10. Statements from leaders of the ruling alliance have fuelled speculation that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may soon assume the chief minister’s post in the state.
Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi confirmed that Nitish Kumar has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha and will take oath as a member on April 10. Meanwhile, Bihar Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Choudhary said that if Nitish Kumar steps down as chief minister, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will hold a meeting to decide the next leader, noting that the BJP, being the largest party in the alliance, will take a call.
According to sources, Nitish Kumar is scheduled to leave for New Delhi on April 9 and will remain there for about three days. During the visit, he will take oath as a Rajya Sabha member and is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the political situation in Bihar and the formation of a new government.
Leaders of the Janata Dal (United) are also expected to hold a meeting in Delhi on April 9. Party sources said the discussion may focus on the future political roadmap, including the possibility of assigning organisational responsibilities to Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar.
After taking oath in the Rajya Sabha on April 10, Nitish Kumar is expected to meet Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah. The discussions may include strengthening the NDA in Bihar and finalising the structure of the new government. Sources said the composition of the new cabinet and portfolio distribution could also be discussed.
According to indications from within the alliance, the new government in Bihar may be led by a BJP chief minister for the first time. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is among the names being discussed in political circles for the top post.
Sources within JD(U) said the party may seek a larger role in the new arrangement. For the first time, JD(U) could get the post of deputy chief minister, and there are discussions about the possibility of two deputy chief ministers from the party. Nishant Kumar is reportedly being considered for one of the positions, although no official announcement has been made.
As per the tentative power-sharing formula under discussion, JD(U) may get around 13 ministerial posts in the new cabinet, while the BJP could retain the chief minister’s position along with about 10 ministerial berths. Other NDA allies, including the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha, may also get representation in the cabinet.
Before any formal announcement, a meeting of the NDA legislative party is likely to be held around April 12. In this meeting, Nitish Kumar may formally inform legislators about his decision regarding the chief minister’s post and submit his resignation to the Governor.
Following this, NDA legislators from all constituent parties will meet to elect their leader, who will then stake claim to form the government.
Sources indicate that the swearing-in ceremony for the new government could take place on April 15 or 16, after the conclusion of the Kharmas period. The oath-taking ceremony is expected to be held at Raj Bhavan in Patna, where the Governor will administer the oath to the new chief minister and council of ministers.
Meanwhile, the Bihar BJP is also scheduled to hold an important meeting in New Delhi on April 10 to discuss the leadership issue. Senior party leaders, including state BJP president Sanjay Saraogi, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Union Minister Nityanand Rai, MP Sanjay Jaiswal and other senior leaders are expected to attend the meeting.
The party’s national leadership is likely to seek consensus from the state unit on the chief ministerial candidate before taking a final decision.
