Nitish Kumar is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the tenth time on Thursday, marking a historic milestone in his decades-long political career, as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) prepares for a grand oath-taking ceremony at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan. After securing a commanding victory in the Assembly elections, the coalition has been working meticulously to finalise its ministerial lineup, with a deliberate emphasis on caste representation, political equilibrium, and continuity in governance. Senior leaders from the BJP, JDU and allied parties have been engaged in intense deliberations to ensure that the new cabinet reflects both political stability and social inclusivity, as the NDA aims to begin its next term with a message of unity and strength.
NDA Finalises Cabinet Structure with Strategic Caste Representation and Political Continuity
According to top sources within the ruling coalition, twenty-two ministers are expected to take the oath alongside Nitish Kumar during the high-profile swearing-in ceremony. The composition of the new cabinet is the result of extensive negotiations between alliance partners, chiefly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (United), both of which have aimed to balance caste equations while rewarding loyalty and electoral performance. The BJP is expected to secure nine ministerial berths, the JDU is likely to get ten, while each of the smaller allies—Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awami Morcha, and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha—is expected to secure one cabinet position.
From the BJP, the names likely to be included in the cabinet reflect a mix of experienced leaders and strong community representation. Samrat Choudhary, Vijay Sinha, Nitin Navin, Renu Devi, Mangal Pandey, Neeraj Bablu, Sanjay Sarawagi, Hari Sahni, and Rajnish Kumar are expected to take the oath. Eight of these nine leaders held ministerial positions in the outgoing government, signalling the BJP’s intention to maintain continuity while also keeping its caste outreach broad and balanced. The party has carefully included leaders from major caste blocs, ensuring representation from Bhumihars, Extremely Backward Classes, Brahmins, Rajputs, Kayasthas and Vaishyas. This selection reflects an effort to consolidate support across the social spectrum, especially after a high-voltage election campaign in which caste arithmetic played a significant role.
The JDU, which is retaining its position as a major partner in the coalition, is similarly expected to swear in ten ministers from a list of leaders seen as both loyal to Nitish Kumar and experienced in administration. Vijay Choudhary, Shrawan Kumar, Ashok Choudhary, Zama Khan, Ratnesh Sada, Leshi Singh, Bijender Yadav, Shyam Rajak, Sunil Kumar and Damodar Rawat are the names in consideration. Like the BJP, eight of these leaders were part of the previous ministry, indicating a continuation of Nitish Kumar’s long-standing strategy of retaining seasoned administrators while diversifying representation. The JDU has ensured a broad caste footprint in its choices, including four Dalit leaders and representation for Muslims, Yadavs, Rajputs, EBCs and Bhumihars. The party’s approach underlines its effort to uphold Nitish Kumar’s political image as a leader committed to social justice and balanced development.
The smaller allies of the NDA have also been allotted ministerial positions as part of the coalition’s effort to maintain goodwill and equitable power distribution. Raju Tiwari, a Brahmin leader and the state chief of Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas), is expected to represent his party in the new government. The inclusion of Tiwari signals a willingness to accommodate the rising assertiveness of Paswan’s faction in Bihar politics. From Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awami Morcha, his son Santosh Suman is expected to be sworn in, symbolising both the party’s loyalty to the NDA and its desire for continued relevance in the state’s power structure. Snehlata Kushwaha, wife of Upendra Kushwaha and a senior figure in the Rashtriya Lok Morcha, is also likely to join the cabinet, marking the party’s entry into the new government with familial and organisational representation.
Historic Oath Ceremony Planned as NDA Showcases Strength with Presence of National Leadership
Tomorrow’s oath-taking ceremony at Patna’s iconic Gandhi Maidan is being planned as a major show of political strength and unity for the NDA. The event is expected to draw some of the highest political dignitaries in the country, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is likely to attend the ceremony along with chief ministers from all BJP-ruled states. The NDA’s sweeping victory, securing 202 seats in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, has added momentum to tomorrow’s event, which is seen as a symbolic reaffirmation of the coalition’s resurgence and its renewed mandate in Bihar.
Nitish Kumar’s tenth term as Chief Minister marks an unprecedented moment in Bihar’s political history. His journey from a grassroots socialist leader to one of India’s longest-serving chief ministers has been marked by alliances, realignments, administrative reforms and political resilience. With this historic oath-taking, Nitish reinforces his position as one of the most enduring political figures in modern India. His ability to navigate Bihar’s often volatile political landscape, maintain strategic partnerships and sustain administrative continuity has made him a central figure in the state’s governance for nearly two decades.
The choice of Gandhi Maidan as the venue reflects the symbolic importance the NDA is attaching to this swearing-in ceremony. The historic site has previously hosted political rallies, public gatherings, and government ceremonies of national significance. With elaborate security arrangements, widespread media coverage, and high-profile attendees, the event is expected to underscore the political stability and confidence of the newly re-elected coalition.
For the BJP, the ceremony is an opportunity to strengthen its foothold in Bihar after contributing substantially to the NDA’s victory. The presence of the Prime Minister and multiple CMs underscores the party’s emphasis on consolidating alliances with regional partners like the JDU while maintaining visibility and influence at the state level. For the JDU, the event showcases its continued relevance in Bihar’s political narrative, even as it navigates changing electoral dynamics and competition from emerging regional players.
The new cabinet is being framed as one that reflects both political experience and social diversity. By balancing caste equations meticulously, the NDA aims to reinforce voter confidence while ensuring that the new government represents the state’s complex social mosaic. Leaders selected for ministerial positions are expected to play significant roles in shaping policy direction, governance priorities, and administrative reform over the coming five-year term.
As Bihar prepares for this major political transition, all eyes remain on the ceremony that will usher in Nitish Kumar’s tenth chief ministerial tenure. With national leaders in attendance, a carefully crafted cabinet in place, and a historic mandate behind him, Nitish Kumar and the NDA are poised to begin a new chapter in the state’s governance, focusing on development, stability and social representation as they move into the next legislative term.
