NDA Begins Government Formation in Bihar as Nitish Kumar Set for Historic 10th Oath on November 20

Patna, Nov 2025 : With a sweeping mandate in the Bihar Assembly elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has begun the final phase of government formation, setting the stage for Nitish Kumar’s return as Chief Minister for a historic tenth term. The alliance, which secured a commanding three-fourths majority in the 243-member House, is now deep in discussions to shape the structure and leadership of the new administration.

High-level meetings are underway in both the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party to finalize ministerial portfolios, power-sharing formulas, and the political roadmap for the next five years. The JDU has called a crucial legislative party meeting tomorrow, where Nitish Kumar is expected to be elected as the legislative party leader. This endorsement will enable him to formally stake claim before the Governor and initiate the government formation process.

Simultaneously, the BJP—despite emerging as the single-largest party—is preparing for its own strategy meeting. Party leaders are expected to discuss the distribution of cabinet berths and decide on the Deputy Chief Minister nominee. Within the BJP, three names have gained prominence in internal debates: Samrat Chaudhary, Ramkripal Yadav, and Mangal Pandey. The final decision is likely to come after consultations with the central leadership.

JDU’s Strength to Increase Within the New Government

While the BJP secured 89 seats, edging ahead of the JDU’s 85, the latter’s role in the incoming government is expected to expand significantly. According to early indications, approximately 11 JDU members will be inducted as ministers. In total, around 18 ministers from across the alliance are likely to take oath alongside Nitish Kumar.

Sources from the Chief Minister’s Office suggest that Nitish Kumar may submit his resignation to the Governor today—a procedural formality before forming a new government. He is expected to stake claim the same day, clearing the way for his swearing-in ceremony on November 20. This milestone will mark his tenth tenure as Chief Minister, underscoring his pivotal role in Bihar politics over nearly two decades.

Several names from the JDU and BJP are under consideration for ministerial roles. The JDU’s expected list includes Vijay Chaudhary, Bijendra Yadav, Shravan Kumar, Ashok Chaudhary, Lesy Singh, Jama Khan, Madan Sahni, Jayant Raj, Maheshwar Hazari, and Santosh Nirala. The BJP’s likely representatives include Samrat Chaudhary, Nitin Naveen, Mangal Pandey, Ramkripal Yadav, and Rajneesh Kumar.

Projected Cabinet Seat Allocation

The NDA’s resounding mandate has influenced discussions on how cabinet seats will be allocated among alliance partners. The distribution is expected to reflect not only electoral performance but also caste and regional representation.

Projected Cabinet Allocation Based on Seats Won:

This distribution reflects the NDA’s attempt to maintain a delicate balance between coalition dynamics and Bihar’s socio-political realities.

Key Developments Ahead of the Swearing-In

Former Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, both of whom recorded significant victories, remain strong contenders for top positions within the new cabinet. Sources indicate that the BJP may push for two Deputy Chief Ministers once again, while the LJP (Ram Vilas) has indicated interest in securing one of the posts given its improved tally.

Negotiations are ongoing among alliance partners to finalize the complete power-sharing framework. With caste equations playing a critical role in Bihar’s political landscape, the NDA is closely evaluating how best to distribute ministerial roles to maintain social and regional balance.

As the NDA moves closer to forming the government, expectations are high that the new cabinet will combine administrative experience with renewed energy. The final list of ministers along with their portfolios will be officially announced after the swearing-in ceremony.

With Nitish Kumar preparing for his tenth oath, Bihar stands at the cusp of another significant political chapter—one shaped by a strong mandate, coalition consensus, and the promise of continuity in governance.