Nitish Kumar Sworn in as Bihar CM for 10th Time: New Cabinet Signals Political Stability and Strategic Power Balance

Bihar has once again witnessed a hallmark of its political landscape over the past decade and a half: Nitish Kumar’s swearing-in ceremony marking his return to power. On Thursday, he took oath as Chief Minister for the tenth time, highlighting not only a unique political achievement but also reaffirming that stability in Bihar politics continues to hinge on complex and evolving equations.

The ceremony, held at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and several state Chief Ministers. Their presence reflects the central leadership’s trust in its ally in Bihar—a trust stemming not merely from recent assembly election results but also from the political structure that has once again aligned Bihar with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

In this assembly election, the NDA secured a clear majority, winning 202 out of 243 seats, leaving the opposition virtually marginalized. The BJP won 89 seats, the JDU 85, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 19, the Hindustani Awam Morcha 5, and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha 4. This distribution creates a collective decision-making framework where power is shared rather than dominated by a single party. Despite the BJP emerging as the largest party, Nitish Kumar retained the Chief Minister’s post—an outcome of his political acumen and unparalleled ability to build alliances.

Nitish Kumar’s journey—from leaving the Grand Alliance to rejoining the NDA—exemplifies political pragmatism. Known as “Sushasan Babu,” his administrative experience is widely recognized, even if his image has faced criticism over time. His cabinet selections reflect a careful balance of continuity, governance, and social representation.

On Thursday, 26 ministers were sworn in, including three women and one Muslim, sending a clear message about inclusivity and social representation. Prominent BJP leaders Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha were included to strengthen the party’s base and create a second line of leadership. Chaudhary, with a strong OBC support base and a political legacy from his parents, is considered a potential future Chief Ministerial candidate. Sinha, with roots in the RSS and ABVP, has been a key organizational leader.

The JDU retained experienced leaders like Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Shravan Kumar, Ashok Choudhary, Madan Sahni, and Sunil Kumar, ensuring stability in Nitish Kumar’s governance model. The return of Leshi Singh, a veteran with strong regional support, and Mohammad Zama Khan, the only Muslim minister, reflects a strategy to maintain both political and social balance.

Smaller allies are also represented: Sanjay Kumar and Sanjay Kumar Singh from LJP(R) continue Ram Vilas Paswan’s legacy, Santosh Suman from HAM strengthens Dalit representation, and Deepak Prakash from RLM gives voice to Upendra Kushwaha’s base. The inclusion of women ministers—Leshi Singh, Rama Nishad, and Shreyasi Singh—symbolizes youth, sports, and women’s leadership alongside social representation.

The new government faces significant challenges, including unemployment and rising expectations from youth. The NDA’s success will depend on maintaining harmony among its diverse coalition partners while delivering effective governance.

Nitish Kumar’s tenth term is not just a personal milestone but a reflection of Bihar’s complex social structure, political traditions, and coalition dynamics. The new cabinet blends experience, youth, and strategic representation, setting the stage for Bihar’s political and developmental trajectory. The real test, however, lies ahead: translating this coalition’s promise into stable, efficient, and progressive governance.