JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10th time at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan on Thursday. Alongside him, 19 ministers are expected to take oath.
The ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president J.P. Nadda, and several other top leaders of the NDA, as well as chief ministers from NDA-ruled states. Shah and Nadda have already arrived in Patna.
Kumar resigned as Bihar CM on Wednesday before staking claim to form the new government with Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. Cabinet berths for NDA allies are expected to follow a proportional representation formula: one ministerial post for every six MLAs. The Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) or HAM(S) are expected to get one minister each, three ministers will come from Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and the remaining will be divided between the BJP and JD(U). Eight MLAs each from BJP and JD(U), along with one each from RLM, HAM(S), and LJP (Ram Vilas) will take oath.
Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place, with over three lakh people expected at the event. Sources indicated that the new Cabinet is likely to be expanded after Makar Sankranti on January 14, 2026.
