Historic Moment for Bihar as Nitish Kumar Set for Record 10th Term
All political attention in Bihar is focused on the formation of the new government, with multiple reports confirming that the oath-taking ceremony for the Chief Minister will occur on November 20. Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar is poised to create history by being sworn in as Chief Minister for an unprecedented tenth time.
Union Minister and HAM(S) Custodian Jitan Ram Manjhi addressed the media speculation, stating: "The entire matter is being covered extensively in newspapers and media outlets. We have no personal comments to make. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for the 20th, and the Prime Minister will also be present."
Timeline of Government Formation
Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal announced on Monday that the government formation process would be finalized by November 21. This timeline was reinforced by HAM(S) leader Santosh Suman, who confirmed on Sunday that all procedures would conclude between November 20-21.
Suman elaborated on the constitutional process: "According to constitutional tradition, a final list must be submitted to the Governor. This will likely happen today, with the meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Everything will certainly be completed before November 22."
The HAM(S) leader further explained that if the current Chief Minister resigns on Monday (November 17) and approaches the Governor, the formal process for establishing a new government will commence immediately.
High-Profile Attendance Expected
The ceremony is expected to witness the presence of numerous prominent political figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, several state Chief Ministers, and Union Ministers. The event's significance is underscored by the anticipated participation of national leadership.
Jitan Ram Manjhi solidified the leadership speculation after meeting with Union Minister and BJP Bihar election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan in Delhi on Sunday. He unequivocally stated: "One thing is clear: Nitish Kumar will be the face for the Chief Minister's post."
Ministerial Allocation and Cabinet Composition
Details are emerging regarding the distribution of ministerial positions within the new government. According to Jitan Ram Manjhi, reports suggest there will be 35-36 ministers in total, with allocations as follows:
- 16 positions from the BJP
- 14-15 positions from JD(U)
- 3 positions from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas)
- 1 position each from Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha
Coalition leaders indicated that the parties are considering allocating approximately one ministerial post for every six MLAs to ensure balanced representation within the NDA alliance. The alliance comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular).
The Indian Express reported that initial proposals suggest equal ministerial berths for the BJP and JD(U), with the Chirag Paswan-led LJP (RV) potentially receiving two positions, and the Upendra Kushwaha-led RLM and Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM(S) each securing one department.
Constitutional Framework and Previous Government Structure
The constitutional framework limits the maximum number of cabinet berths to 15 percent of the assembly's strength. With Bihar having 243 assembly seats, the state can accommodate up to 36 ministers, including the Chief Minister.
The outgoing Bihar government featured two deputy chief ministers from the BJP—Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. It comprised 36 ministers, with 21 from the BJP, 13 from the JD(U), one from HAM(S), and one Independent.
Election Results and Political Landscape
The NDA achieved a decisive victory in the Bihar elections, securing 202 seats out of 243. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 89 seats, while the Janata Dal (United) closely followed with 85 seats. Other alliance partners demonstrated strong performances, with the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) winning 19 seats, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) securing 5, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha obtaining 4 seats.
The opposition Mahagathbandhan faced significant setbacks, managing only 35 seats collectively. The Rashtriya Janata Dal won 25 seats, Congress secured 6, while smaller parties accounted for the remaining positions.
Venue Preparation and Administrative Arrangements
In preparation for the grand ceremony, Gandhi Maidan will remain closed to the public from November 17 to 20. Although the district administration hasn't officially confirmed the reason, it's widely understood that extensive arrangements are being made for the swearing-in ceremony, including a large stage and seating for thousands of attendees.
The current Bihar assembly's term concludes on November 22, with the 18th assembly required to be constituted on or before that date, marking a smooth transition of power following the NDA's electoral triumph.
