Nitish Kumar Sworn In as Bihar CM for Historic 10th Term
Nitish Kumar created history on Thursday as he took oath as Bihar’s Chief Minister for a record-breaking tenth time, sealing a sweeping comeback after a decisive mandate in last week’s Assembly polls. His Janata Dal (United), once written off as outdated by critics, roared back by winning 85 of 243 seats, powering the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance to a massive 202-seat victory.
For a leader often accused of switching alliances to stay relevant, this win only strengthens Nitish Kumar’s place in India’s political hall of fame. He is already the eighth longest-serving Chief Minister in independent India. If he completes this term, he will surpass former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s remarkable 24-year tenure to become the longest-serving ever.
Alongside Kumar, 19 MLAs also took oath, with BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha leading the line. Both were his deputies in the previous government and are widely expected to return to the same roles. The BJP, which slightly outperformed the JDU by securing 89 seats, will take the larger share of ministerial berths with 10 faces in the new cabinet. The JDU will contribute six.
Among the BJP’s new ministers is Shreyasi Singh, the 34-year-old competitive shooter and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who retained her Jamui seat for a second term, a significant step up in her political journey.
Smaller allies have also secured their space in the power equation. Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha, and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Manch will each get a berth, though chatter suggests the LJP could land an additional spot given its strong performance.
Notably, the sons of two key allies, Deepak Prakash of the RLM and Santosh Manjhi of the HAM, feature in the new lineup. While Prakash enters the cabinet as a first-time minister from the Legislative Council, Manjhi returns after a brief earlier stint overseeing Information Technology and Disaster Management.
With old alliances strengthened and new faces adding energy, Bihar now steps into another chapter under Nitish Kumar, one marked by experience, political acumen, and a mandate for continuity.
For a leader often accused of switching alliances to stay relevant, this win only strengthens Nitish Kumar’s place in India’s political hall of fame. He is already the eighth longest-serving Chief Minister in independent India. If he completes this term, he will surpass former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s remarkable 24-year tenure to become the longest-serving ever.
Alongside Kumar, 19 MLAs also took oath, with BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha leading the line. Both were his deputies in the previous government and are widely expected to return to the same roles. The BJP, which slightly outperformed the JDU by securing 89 seats, will take the larger share of ministerial berths with 10 faces in the new cabinet. The JDU will contribute six.
Among the BJP’s new ministers is Shreyasi Singh, the 34-year-old competitive shooter and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who retained her Jamui seat for a second term, a significant step up in her political journey.
Smaller allies have also secured their space in the power equation. Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha, and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Manch will each get a berth, though chatter suggests the LJP could land an additional spot given its strong performance.
Notably, the sons of two key allies, Deepak Prakash of the RLM and Santosh Manjhi of the HAM, feature in the new lineup. While Prakash enters the cabinet as a first-time minister from the Legislative Council, Manjhi returns after a brief earlier stint overseeing Information Technology and Disaster Management.
With old alliances strengthened and new faces adding energy, Bihar now steps into another chapter under Nitish Kumar, one marked by experience, political acumen, and a mandate for continuity.
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