Bihar is set to witness another major political moment as Nitish Kumar prepares to take oath as Chief Minister for the tenth time. His return follows the NDA’s sweeping win in the 2025 Assembly elections, where partners unanimously chose him as their leader.
NDA Unites Behind Nitish Kumar
BJP’s Samrat Chaudhary proposed Nitish Kumar’s name during the NDA meeting, and all allies quickly supported the decision. After the meeting, Nitish visited Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation and letters of support to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.
“I attended the NDA legislature party meeting held in the Central Hall of the Bihar Legislature,” Nitish said after returning home, confirming the next government’s formation.
Patna | Nitish Kumar was elected as the leader of the NDA legislature party today. He will now stake claim to form government in Bihar. pic.twitter.com/ww8Z3vw3n5
— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2025
LJP (RV) chief Chirag Paswan welcomed the mandate and said, “Nitish ji will be the leader.”
Upendra Kushwaha thanked Bihar’s women voters, saying the NDA’s victory came from seeing “the work done by Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Nitish.”
Allies Praise Nitish’s Leadership
HAM chief Jiten Ram Manjhi raised a striking point about Nitish’s long tenure.
“I wholeheartedly thank all NDA leaders… There may hardly be a leader who has worked continuously for 20 years without facing anti-incumbency,” he said.
“There is no leader like Nitish Kumar – fearless, honest, and free from family politics,” he added.
Before the NDA meet, JD(U) MLAs had already chosen Nitish as their legislative leader. Senior BJP leaders Dharmendra Pradhan and KP Maurya reached Patna to supervise the proceedings.
The NDA won 202 out of 243 seats. BJP secured 89, JD(U) won 85, while LJP (RV), HAM, and RLM strengthened the alliance’s majority.
Grand Oath Ceremony at Gandhi Maidan
Nitish Kumar will take the oath on Thursday morning in a large public ceremony at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan. Several ministers will be sworn in with him.
Security has been increased as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and CMs of several NDA-ruled states will attend.
The event signals the NDA’s aim to project the Bihar mandate as a major endorsement.
Cabinet Sharing Talks Hit Roadblocks
With the oath-taking just hours away, backchannel talks on cabinet share have intensified. The main conflict is over the Home portfolio, which JD(U) wants to retain, while the BJP demands a bigger role after emerging as the largest party.
There is disagreement over the Speaker’s post, too, with both the BJP and the JD(U) wanting it. In the outgoing House, the BJP held the Speaker’s chair.
According to PTI, JD(U) will likely keep most of its current ministers, while BJP may add fresh faces. LJP (RV) may secure three cabinet seats, with HAM and RLM likely getting one each.
JD(U)’s Rajeev Ranjan Prasad told ANI, “Meetings are ongoing, and the remaining matters will be sorted out by the evening and briefed accordingly.”
