Patna is witnessing significant political developments as the National Democratic Alliance prepares to form the new government in Bihar. The newly elected legislators from all five NDA allies will gather in the state capital on Tuesday for a crucial meeting that will determine the state's political future.
Historic Leadership Election
The NDA legislature party will elect its leader on Tuesday, with seasoned politician Nitish Kumar expected to secure the position unanimously. This development paves the way for Kumar to assume the chief minister's office for an unprecedented tenth time, cementing his legacy as one of Bihar's most enduring political figures.
In preparation for this significant transition, the current Bihar assembly will stand dissolved effective November 19. This procedural step is essential for the formation of the new government and follows the outgoing NDA government's final cabinet meeting, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was authorized to recommend the assembly's dissolution.
Delhi Discussions and Party Meetings
Significant behind-the-scenes negotiations have been underway, with JD(U) national working president Sanjay Jha and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh flying to Delhi for discussions with top BJP leaders regarding government formation. These talks are crucial for finalizing the power-sharing arrangement among alliance partners.
Before the collective NDA meeting, the BJP will conduct a separate meeting of its newly elected legislators at the party office to elect its own leader. BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal confirmed this organizational process, highlighting the meticulous planning preceding the government formation.
Cabinet Composition and Swearing-In Ceremony
Intense negotiations are ongoing among NDA partners to finalize cabinet position allocations. The new cabinet is expected to feature a blend of experienced leaders and fresh faces from primary constituents BJP and JD(U). Umesh Singh Kushwaha, the JD(U) state president, is among those likely to receive ministerial berths.
While JD(U) is poised to retain most outgoing ministers, BJP is considering introducing new faces to bring fresh perspectives. Smaller NDA partners including Chirag Paswan's LJP (RV), Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM-S, and Upendra Kushwaha's RLM are also expected to secure ministerial representation.
Prominent JD(U) leaders anticipated in the new cabinet include Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Ashok Choudhary, and Shrawan Kumar. The BJP is likely to retain key figures such as Samrat Choudhary and Prem Kumar while potentially introducing new names.
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at the historic Gandhi Maidan, which has been temporarily closed to the public for preparations. The event is expected to be grand, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to attend alongside Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior NDA leaders.
The Patna district administration has implemented strict security arrangements to ensure the ceremony proceeds smoothly. This historic occasion marks another chapter in Bihar's political landscape as Nitish Kumar prepares to script history with his record tenth term as chief minister.
