Patna: In a massive show of strength for the newly-formed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10th time on Thursday.

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The grand swearing-in ceremony, held at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan, marked the formal return of the NDA to power following its landslide victory in the recent Assembly elections. The event was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and several other top dignitaries, underscoring the political significance of the transition.

A Milestone of Longevity and Political Resilience

 

The 74-year-old leader, often referred to as ‘Sushashan Babu’ for his focus on law and order and development, achieved a dual milestone with this latest term. By extending his total tenure to nearly 19 years across various stints, Nitish Kumar has officially broken into the national top-10 list of India’s longest-serving Chief Ministers.

He joins the ranks of political stalwarts like Sikkim’s Pawan Kumar Chamling, Odisha’s Naveen Patnaik, and West Bengal’s late Jyoti Basu, cementing his legacy as one of the most enduring and central figures in contemporary Indian politics. His political career, spanning five decades, has been characterized by strategic realignments, earning him the moniker ‘Paltu Ram’ from critics, even as he remains the longest-serving head of government in Bihar’s history.

Cabinet Sworn In: Balancing Allies and Experience

 

Alongside the Chief Minister, a total of 27 ministers, representing the five-party NDA alliance, were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.

The new cabinet focuses on balancing the interests of the alliance partners and maintaining crucial caste equations. Prominent among those who took the oath were Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, who are widely expected to retain their roles as Deputy Chief Ministers.

The formation of the new government follows a thumping mandate for the NDA, which secured a three-fourths majority by winning 202 seats in the 243-member legislative assembly.

A New Chapter for the State

 

In his social media posts following the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi congratulated the new government, stating that the “wonderful team, with dedicated leaders… will take Bihar to new heights.”

For Nitish Kumar, the 10th term begins with the challenge of fulfilling the sweeping electoral promises made by the NDA and charting a course of sustained governance for the state, further solidifying his reputation as Bihar’s quintessential political survivor.