Nitish Kumar set for historic 10th Oath: NDA finalises cabinet line-up ahead of grand ceremony
Patna, Bihar – Patna prepares for a major political moment today as Nitish Kumar returns for a record 10th term as Bihar chief minister. He will take oath at Gandhi Maidan at 11:30 am. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) moved swiftly after its sweeping victory in the 2025 Bihar elections, and leaders finalised the cabinet list late Wednesday night.
The state witnesses a dramatic 48 hours. First, Nitish Kumar resigned from the top post. Then, he immediately met Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and claimed the right to form the next government with full support from all NDA partners. Meanwhile, JD(U) lawmakers elected him as their leader, and the NDA unanimously backed him as the alliance head in Bihar.
The BJP also moved quickly. It chose Samrat Choudhury as its legislature party leader and Vijay Kumar Sinha as deputy leader. Both leaders are set to continue as deputy chief ministers. NDA insiders say the new government will include 18 ministers. They also say the alliance agreed on portfolios after several rounds of discussions in Patna on Wednesday evening. Leaders expect the governor to receive the final list this morning, and the new ministers will get their official intimation shortly before the ceremony.
As Patna gears up, the event draws national attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the ceremony, along with Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan. Chief ministers from at least seven NDA-ruled states will also be present. Their arrival signals the political weight attached to this moment, especially after the NDA’s strong comeback in Bihar.
The 2025 Bihar results reshaped the political landscape. The NDA won 202 of 243 seats and secured a comfortable majority. The Bharatiya Janata Party led the tally with 89 seats and emerged as the single-largest party. The JD(U) strengthened its position with 85 seats. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) took 19, while the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha secured five and four seats respectively.
This landslide set the stage for another Nitish Kumar–led government. His return continues a familiar pattern in Bihar’s politics, marked by alliance switches but consistent leadership at the top. With his 10th oath today, he extends an unmatched record in Indian state politics.
However, challenges lie ahead. Sources say alliance leaders debated key portfolios, particularly departments like home, finance, and rural development. They also discussed the next Speaker of the Assembly. The final decisions reflect a balancing act within the coalition, especially with two powerful parties—JD(U) and BJP—sharing space in the new cabinet.
As crowds gather at Gandhi Maidan and security tightens across the capital, Bihar looks toward a new political chapter. Nitish Kumar, now one of India’s most enduring chief ministers, takes charge once again with a renewed mandate and a reshaped alliance. Today’s ceremony not only marks a historic milestone for him but also signals the beginning of a defining term for the NDA government in Patna.
