Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar is poised to take oath as Bihar’s Chief Minister for a record 10th time following the NDA’s landslide victory in the 2025 Assembly elections. Top BJP sources confirm that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the swearing-in ceremony, underscoring the alliance’s unity and Modi’s firm backing for Kumar’s leadership.
Vote counting on November 14 revealed the NDA surging to over 210 seats in the 243-member house, crossing the majority mark of 122 with ease. JD(U) led with 85 seats, closely followed by BJP’s 95, while smaller allies like LJP(RV) added 21. The Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by RJD, managed just 39 seats, marking a sharp decline from 2020.
Nitish’s Enduring Legacy: From ‘Jungle Raj’ Buster to Development Architect
At 74, Nitish Kumar’s political journey—from a brief seven-day stint in 2000 to becoming Bihar’s longest-serving CM—has been defined by strategic alliances and governance reforms. His 2005 NDA partnership with BJP ended decades of “jungle raj” under RJD, ushering in infrastructure booms, women’s empowerment schemes like the Mukhyamantri Rozgar Yojna (benefiting 1.41 crore women with ₹10,000 payouts), and improved law and order.
Frequent shifts—allying with RJD in 2015 (winning 71 seats), rejoining BJP in 2017, exiting in 2022, and returning in 2024—earned him the “paltu ram” tag, but voters rewarded his development focus. This term, JD(U)’s tally jumped from 43 in 2020, thanks to Modi’s endorsements and schemes targeting EBCs and women. Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav, trailing in Raghopur, conceded the mandate but alleged irregularities via SIR voter revisions.
Modi’s Presence: A Seal of NDA Solidarity
PM Modi’s attendance at the Raj Bhavan ceremony—expected within days—signals strong central support, echoing his role in Kumar’s 2020 and 2024 oaths. BJP leaders like Union Minister Giriraj Singh hailed it as a “historic mandate for sushasan,” predicting NDA sweeps in future polls. Celebrations erupted in Patna with 500 kg of laddus, fireworks, and chants of “Tiger zinda hai” for Kumar.
The cabinet is likely to feature BJP deputies like Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha, with JD(U) holding key portfolios. Full results confirm NDA’s dominance by evening, paving the way for Bihar’s next chapter under Kumar.
