Patna: Following the NDA’s decisive win in the Bihar assembly elections, celebrations erupted at BJP and JD(U) headquarters across Delhi and Patna. While the BJP is calling the Maharashtra model “appropriate,” the question of Bihar’s Chief Minister appears settled with the JD(U) projecting Nitish Kumar as the CM face.
After meeting with Nitish Kumar, NDA leaders made it clear that there is no confusion over leadership. BJP leader Nitin Naveen said, “Everything is proceeding as per the established process.” Union Minister Lallan Singh emphasized, “There is no CM vacancy in Bihar,” while senior JD(U) leader Shravan Kumar stated, “The people have expressed confidence in Nitish Kumar to lead Bihar on the path of development.”
Here are five key developments shaping the formation of the new government:
1. Nitish Kumar Meets Winning MLAs and Leaders
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held a marathon meeting with 40-45 leaders throughout Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing late into the evening. Meetings included interactions with winning MLAs, a JD(U) party session, and consultations with senior BJP leaders.
Prominent leaders attending included Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Chirag Paswan, JD(U) National Executive President Sanjay Jha, and newly elected MLAs Shyam Rajak (Phulwari) and Arun Manjhi (Masaurhi). Other attendees included former ministers, state party presidents, and BJP leaders Krishna Kumar Mantu and Nitin Naveen.
2. Legislative Party Meeting Scheduled
The JD(U) has scheduled a Legislative Party meeting on Monday to formally elect Nitish Kumar as the leader of the party in the assembly. All winning MLAs have been asked to reach Patna on Sunday to participate in the proceedings.
3. Swearing-in Date Under Discussion
Nitish Kumar is expected to take oath as Chief Minister on either November 19 or 20. The final date will be confirmed at the Legislative Party meeting. Preparations are underway for a grand ceremony, potentially at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan, where past leaders including Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish himself have taken their oath.
4. Cabinet Formation and Numbers
Discussions are ongoing regarding the size and composition of the new cabinet. Preparations aim to make the swearing-in ceremony inclusive, with large public participation. Traditionally, oath-taking has been held at Gandhi Maidan, though exceptions were made in 2017 and 2020 due to political realignments and the pandemic.
5. Top Leaders Travel to Delhi
Following discussions with Nitish Kumar, JD(U) Working President Sanjay Jha and Union Minister Lallan Singh departed for Delhi to meet Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Vinod Tawde, and Home Minister Amit Shah. These meetings will focus on strategies for forming the new government and coordinating with the NDA at the Centre.
With a decisive mandate in hand, Nitish Kumar appears firmly positioned to continue as Bihar’s Chief Minister, while NDA allies coordinate closely to ensure a smooth transition of power.
