Bihar’s new government is expected to be formed on November 19-20, as the process accelerates following the notification to establish the 18th Bihar Assembly. The Election Commission will inform Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan about the final results, leading to the automatic cessation of the Model Code of Conduct. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has convened a Cabinet meeting for Monday, during which the dissolution of the outgoing 17th Assembly is anticipated to be sanctioned. Following the approval of this resolution, Nitish Kumar will resign to Governor Khan, facilitating the next stage of government formation.
The BJP and JD(U) contested an equal number of seats in the Bihar Assembly elections (101 each), and an initial proposal regarding government formation within the NDA suggests an equal allocation of ministerial positions for both principal members of the ruling alliance. Under this arrangement, the Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) might receive two ministerial roles, while the Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) could each be assigned one department. “This is the formula on the table, and discussions are ongoing. Significant alterations in portfolio distribution could occur, and discussions are also concentrating on that aspect,” stated a source.
The newly elected JD(U) MLAs will gather in Patna on Monday, after which Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to meet the Governor and submit his resignation, paving the way for the new government. The BJP Legislature Party is likely to convene on Tuesday, as per sources. The BJP holds the status of the single-largest party with 89 seats, followed by the JD(U) with 85, LJP (RV) with 19, HAM(S) with five, and RLM with four. In 2020, the BJP was the largest party in the NDA with 74 seats, while the JD(U) had 43. In the outgoing administration, the BJP had 22 ministers, compared to the 12 from Nitish Kumar’s party.
