Nitish Kumar to Step Down Today, Poised to Return for 10th Term as Bihar Chief Minister

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to resign on Wednesday, paving the way for his 10th term in office after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) registered a decisive victory in the Assembly elections.

JD(U) leaders said party MLAs will meet at 11 am to elect Nitish Kumar as their legislature party leader. Later, at 3:30 pm, all NDA legislators will gather in the Central Hall of the Assembly to formally choose him as the alliance’s chief ministerial nominee.

Nitish Kumar will then visit Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation and hand over letters of support to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, formally staking claim to form the next government. The current Assembly will subsequently be dissolved.

NDA’s Mandate

The NDA secured 202 of 243 seats, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party at 89 seats and JD(U) following with 85. Allies LJP (RV), HAM, and RLM contributed 19, five, and four seats respectively.

Swearing-In on Thursday

Nitish Kumar will take oath on Thursday morning at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, where an elaborate ceremony is being prepared. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, several Union ministers and NDA chief ministers are expected to attend, underscoring the political significance of the Bihar mandate.

Portfolio Tussle Ahead of Oath

Even as preparations are underway, NDA partners are engaged in intense discussions over cabinet allocations. The Home portfolio, traditionally held by Nitish Kumar, has become a major flashpoint, with the BJP pushing for a larger share of influential ministries.

The Speaker’s post is also being contested, with both the JD(U) and BJP insisting on claiming the position. According to PTI, JD(U) is likely to retain most of its ministers while the BJP may introduce several new faces. LJP (RV) may get three berths, while HAM and RLM are expected to get one each.