Nitish Kumar Set to Resign on November 19; New NDA Government to Take Oath on November 20

Bihar chief minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar will step down on Wednesday, November 19, to enable the formation of a new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan, where Nitish Kumar is widely expected to return as chief minister, though no official confirmation has been issued yet.

The current Bihar assembly’s term ends on November 22, and the 18th assembly must be constituted before that date.

---

Key Points on Bihar Government Formation

• Swearing-in on November 20
The new NDA government will take oath at 11 am on Thursday at Gandhi Maidan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union ministers, and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states are expected to attend. A senior BJP leader said it is expected to be “the grandest” ceremony so far.

• Nitish Kumar likely to return as CM
On Monday, Nitish Kumar met governor Arif Mohammed Khan and informed him that the cabinet had recommended dissolution of the current assembly. JD(U) minister Vijay Kumar Chowdhary confirmed that Nitish will submit his resignation on Wednesday as the head of the outgoing government, formally initiating the transition.

• Crucial meetings on Wednesday
Both the BJP and JD(U) will hold legislature party meetings on Wednesday, where decisions on the chief minister and other leadership roles will be finalised. These meetings may also indicate who will be chosen as deputy chief minister(s).

• Sequence of events on Wednesday
According to alliance leaders, Nitish Kumar will first be elected JD(U) legislature party leader at 11 am, then chosen as NDA leader at 3:30 pm, before tendering his resignation to the governor. He will also submit letters of support from all NDA allies.

• One or two deputy chief ministers?
The outgoing government had two deputy CMs—Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha—both re-elected. Discussions are underway on whether to continue with two or appoint just one, with factors like caste and gender representation likely to influence the decision. JD(U) is said to favour a single deputy CM if the BJP takes the Speaker’s post.

• ‘Surprise elements’ in the new cabinet
A senior NDA leader hinted that the new cabinet may include unexpected picks, blending youth with experienced legislators while maintaining Bihar’s social balance.

• Formula for ministerial berths
The alliance is considering a formula of one ministerial berth for every six MLAs. Under this arrangement:

• RLM and HAM(S): 1 berth each

• LJP(RV): 3 berths

• BJP + JD(U): Remaining 30–31 berths

The Bihar cabinet can have a maximum of 36 ministers, including the chief minister, as per constitutional limits.

• Nitish Kumar’s 10th term as CM
If sworn in again, this will be Nitish Kumar’s 10th term since 2005, making him one of India’s longest-serving chief ministers. It will be the fourth oath-taking ceremony at Gandhi Maidan, excluding the Covid-impacted 2020 event held at Raj Bhavan.

• Competition for key portfolios
Both the BJP and JD(U) reportedly want to control the home portfolio, which was previously with the JD(U). The education portfolio, also held by JD(U) earlier, is another area of negotiation.

• Election results recap
The NDA won a decisive mandate with 202 out of 243 seats:

• BJP: 89

• JD(U): 85

• LJP(RV): 19

• HAM(S): 5

• RLM: 4

The Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD and Congress, was reduced to just 35 seats.