Patna: After the NDA’s significant victory in the Bihar assembly elections, celebrations commenced at the BJP and JD(U) headquarters in both Delhi and Patna. The BJP describes the Maharashtra model as ‘suitable,’ and the question of Bihar’s Chief Minister seems resolved, with the JD(U) presenting Nitish Kumar as the CM candidate. Following discussions with Nitish Kumar, NDA leaders asserted that leadership clarity exists.
BJP leader Nitin Naveen stated, ‘Everything is proceeding as per the established process.’ Union Minister Lallan Singh noted, ‘There is no CM vacancy in Bihar,’ while senior JD(U) leader Shravan Kumar affirmed, ‘The people have expressed confidence in Nitish Kumar to lead Bihar on the path of development.’ Here are five key developments influencing the formation of the new government: 1. Nitish Kumar Meets Winning MLAs and Leaders Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held extensive discussions with 40-45 leaders on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. and continuing late into the evening. The meetings involved interactions with winning MLAs, a JD(U) party session, and consultations with senior BJP leaders.
Notable attendees included Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Chirag Paswan, JD(U) National Executive President Sanjay Jha, and newly elected MLAs Shyam Rajak (Phulwari) and Arun Manjhi (Masaurhi), along with former ministers, state party presidents, and BJP leaders Krishna Kumar Mantu and Nitin Naveen. 2. Legislative Party Meeting Scheduled The JD(U) has planned a Legislative Party meeting on Monday to formally elect Nitish Kumar as the assembly party leader. All winning MLAs have been requested to arrive in Patna on Sunday for the proceedings. 3. Swearing-in Date Under Discussion Nitish Kumar is anticipated to take his oath as Chief Minister on either November 19 or 20, with the final date to be confirmed at the Legislative Party meeting.
Preparations are in progress for a grand ceremony, likely at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan, where past leaders including Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish himself have previously taken their oaths. 4. Cabinet Formation and Numbers Ongoing discussions are addressing the size and composition of the new cabinet. Efforts are being made to ensure the swearing-in ceremony is inclusive, encouraging large public participation. Traditionally, the oath-taking has occurred at Gandhi Maidan, although exceptions were made in 2017 and 2020 due to political shifts and the pandemic. 5.
Top Leaders Travel to Delhi Following talks with Nitish Kumar, JD(U) Working President Sanjay Jha and Union Minister Lallan Singh traveled to Delhi to meet with Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Vinod Tawde, and Home Minister Amit Shah. These discussions will concentrate on strategies for forming the new government and coordinating with the NDA at the Centre. With a strong mandate secured, Nitish Kumar is well-positioned to remain Bihar’s Chief Minister, while NDA allies work closely to facilitate a seamless power transition.