The path for the formation of the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar is now clear, with key sources confirming that Nitish Kumar will continue his tenure as the Chief Minister for a record tenth time.
The final green light for the cabinet composition and the continuation of Kumar’s leadership was reportedly given at a high-level meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.
Oath Ceremony Tentatively Set for Mid-Week
The swearing-in ceremony of the new NDA government is expected to take place on either Wednesday, November 19, or Thursday, November 20, with the final date dependent on the schedule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Preparations are already underway at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan for what is anticipated to be a large-scale event, showcasing the unity and strength of the NDA coalition before the upcoming West Bengal assembly polls. PM Modi, along with various Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, and senior NDA leaders, are expected to attend.
Cabinet Formula and Seat Distribution
The cabinet formula, finalized in Delhi, ensures a structure proportional to the electoral performance of the alliance partners. The NDA swept the recent Bihar elections, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging as the single-largest party with 89 seats, followed closely by the Janata Dal (United) with 85 seats.
The formula adopted follows a ‘one minister for every six MLAs’ principle:
- BJP: Expected to secure 15 or 16 ministerial berths.
- JD(U): Projected to get 14 ministerial berths.
- LJP (Ram Vilas): Headed by Chirag Paswan, likely to be given three berths.
- Smaller Allies: Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) may each get one ministerial berth.
Government Formation Gathers Pace
The process to formally constitute the 18th Bihar Assembly is gathering pace today with the issuance of the official notification by the Election Commission to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, which formally ends the Model Code of Conduct.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has called a cabinet meeting tomorrow (Monday), where the dissolution of the outgoing 17th Assembly is expected to be approved. Following this, Kumar will submit his resignation to Governor Khan, paving the way for the NDA constituent parties to meet, formally elect Kumar as the alliance leader, and then stake their claim to form the new government.