In a historic milestone, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took oath for his unprecedented 10th term on Thursday at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, administered by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan. The grand ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief JP Nadda, and leaders from seven NDA-ruled states, celebrated the alliance’s landslide victory in the 2025 Assembly elections, securing 202 of 243 seats. Kumar, 74, reaffirmed his commitment to “sushasan” (good governance), promising accelerated development in education, health, and infrastructure.
Following Kumar’s oath, BJP leader Samrat Choudhary was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister for the second time, retaining his position from the previous NDA term. Choudhary, a key architect of the BJP’s campaign, vowed to strengthen law and order alongside Kumar. Vijay Kumar Sinha, another BJP stalwart, also took oath as a cabinet minister, rounding out the initial lineup. The new 30-member council includes 14 from JD(U) and 16 from BJP, blending veterans like Vijay Kumar Chaudhary with fresh faces such as Umesh Singh Kushwaha and Lesi Singh. Smaller allies like Chirag Paswan’s LJP (RV) secured three berths, ensuring broad representation.
NDA’s Dominant Return: A Mandate for Stability
The NDA’s triumph—BJP (89 seats), JD(U) (85), LJP(RV) (19)—marginalized the Mahagathbandhan (35 seats), underscoring voter preference for continuity. Kumar, elected JD(U) legislature leader on November 19, submitted his resignation the same day, dissolving the outgoing assembly. This marks his seamless return after a brief 2022 stint with the opposition, showcasing his alliance-shifting prowess since 2000.
