Nitish Kumar Sworn In as Bihar Chief Minister for Tenth Term

Nitish Kumar, the leader of the Janata Dal (United), was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a historic tenth term on Thursday. This event took place just days after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) achieved a decisive victory in the state assembly elections. The oath was administered by Bihar Governor Arif Muhammad Khan at the iconic Gandhi Maidan in Patna, a venue with historical significance that has hosted previous inaugurations of Kumar in 2005, 2010, and 2015.

In addition to Nitish Kumar, senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vijay Kumar Sinha and Samrat Choudhary, were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers. A total of 26 ministers took the oath during the ceremony, which included notable figures such as Ashok Choudhary, the national general secretary of JD(U), and state BJP president Dilip Jaiswal. Shreyasi Singh, a celebrated shooter and MLA from Jamui, was also among the new cabinet members, marking her second consecutive term in the assembly.

This recent government formation follows the NDA's significant electoral success, where they secured 202 out of the 243 seats in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, while JD(U) followed closely with 85 seats. Other parties, including the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), also gained representation.

Nitish Kumar's political journey has been marked by numerous ups and downs since he first assumed office as Chief Minister in 2000. He has been a prominent figure in Bihar's politics for decades, often referred to as 'Sushasan Babu' for his focus on governance and development. His tenure has seen significant changes in the state's infrastructure and social policies, although he has also faced criticism and challenges from rival political factions.

During his swearing-in address, Nitish Kumar expressed gratitude to the people of Bihar, emphasising the importance of unity and development. He stated, "I, Nitish Kumar, swear by God… This sentence is a symbol of the unwavering faith and self-confidence of crores of Biharis. Today, from the historic Gandhi Maidan, this voice will echo once again, and Bihar will embark on a new journey of development."

The ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior NDA leaders. The attendance of prominent political figures underscored the significance of this event in the context of Bihar's political landscape.

Following the ceremony, Kumar's administration is expected to focus on various developmental initiatives and governance strategies to address the needs of Bihar's population, amidst challenges such as economic growth and social welfare. The new government will aim to build on previous successes while navigating the complexities of coalition politics in the state.

As Bihar enters this new chapter under Nitish Kumar's leadership, the state's future political dynamics will be closely watched, especially considering Kumar's past shifts between alliances and his commitment to stable governance moving forward.