Patna | November 17, 2025

Bihar’s political scene saw a major shift on Monday as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, officially ending the current NDA government. Earlier in the day, Nitish chaired a short cabinet meeting barely ten minutes long where ministers unanimously agreed that the Assembly should be dissolved. With the term of the 17th Bihar Assembly ending on November 22, preparations have already begun for the swearing-in of the next government, expected on Wednesday or Thursday.

A key part of the formation of the new government is the distribution of ministries. Both the BJP and JD(U) had contested 101 seats each in the election, and the current plan suggests that the two parties will share cabinet posts equally. The BJP, however, is the largest party with 89 seats, while JD(U) stands at 85. Smaller allies will also have a presence in the government: the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is likely to get two ministries, and both the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) may each receive one berth.

Although both sides have agreed that Nitish Kumar will continue as Chief Minister, there is still no final decision on who will become Deputy Chief Minister. This is particularly notable because outgoing Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary faced allegations before the elections, raising doubts about his return. Despite this, many BJP leaders argue that the NDA’s clear mandate—and Choudhary’s personal win from Tarapur—show that voters were not swayed by the accusations.

Meanwhile, intense discussions are underway to finalize the full cabinet before the oath-taking. Around five to six new faces are expected from both the BJP and JD(U). JD(U) state chief Umesh Singh Kushwaha is likely to be among those sworn in. Several experienced ministers from JD(U) are also expected to make a comeback. The BJP, on the other hand, is likely to introduce three or four new ministers while retaining several existing ones. Smaller allies will also be accommodated, making the cabinet more diverse and representative of the NDA coalition.

Preparations for the grand swearing-in ceremony are already visible at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. The venue has been sealed off with heavy security as top national leaders—including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah—are expected to attend. Nitish Kumar is set to take oath for a record 10th time as Chief Minister on November 20, after formally resigning from the outgoing government on November 19. Nearly all ministers who contested the recent election retained their seats, reflecting relatively stable support within the ruling camp.

In the backdrop of the NDA’s victory, opposition parties continue questioning the sweeping results. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav voiced doubts about the fairness of the polls, claiming the Election Commission failed to ensure equal representation and alleging irregularities in constituencies where the BJP was trailing. The Mahagathbandhan, particularly the RJD and Congress, also faces internal questions as many of their candidates—especially from EBC and non-Yadav OBC communities—lost by large margins.

With alliances recalibrating and cabinet lists being drawn, Bihar stands at the edge of yet another political chapter - one that once again places Nitish Kumar at the center of power.

 Bihar Govt Formation 2025: Nitish Kumar Resigns; NDA Moves Toward New Power-Sharing Plan 

As Bihar steps into a new political chapter, the state witnessed a major development with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar submitting his resignation, marking the end of the outgoing NDA government. With the Assembly’s term nearing its close, discussions within the NDA have accelerated to shape the next government. The BJP and JD(U), which contested an equal number of seats, are expected to share ministerial positions evenly under the initial power-sharing proposal. Smaller allies are also set to receive key roles, ensuring a broad coalition presence in the cabinet.

While Nitish Kumar remains the unanimous choice for Chief Minister once again, decisions on Deputy Chief Ministers and fresh faces in the cabinet are still underway. Intense negotiations continue as leaders work to finalize names before the swearing-in ceremony, expected mid-week. Security preparations at Gandhi Maidan highlight the scale of the event, with top national leaders likely to attend.

This transition marks another turning point in Bihar’s political landscape, reflecting shifting alliances, renewed strategies, and a continued focus on governance stability. With the NDA preparing its new team, Bihar anticipates another term under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, backed by a reorganized coalition framework.