Patna is witnessing a significant political event today as Nitish Kumar is set to take oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for an unprecedented 10th time. The ceremony, a major show of strength for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is being held at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
Nitish Kumar's election as leader of the NDA legislature party follows the alliance's decisive victory in the Bihar Assembly elections. The NDA secured 202 seats in the 243-member assembly, a significant win for the coalition. The NDA partners include BJP, JD(U), LJP(RV), HAM, and RLM. Kumar's JDU won 85 constituencies, while the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats.
The swearing-in ceremony is a high-profile event, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, several Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states, and allies such as N Chandrababu Naidu and Eknath Shinde. The presence of these leaders underscores the BJP's confidence and support for Nitish Kumar's leadership.
Security at Gandhi Maidan has been significantly heightened in preparation for the event. The Special Protection Group (SPG) has taken over security arrangements due to the Prime Minister's presence. More than 2,500 personnel, 250 officers, and over 250 magistrates have been deployed across the area, with snipers monitoring from nearby high-rises. The venue is under continuous drone surveillance, supported by 128 CCTV cameras. Metal detectors, layered frisking, and barricaded routes are in place to regulate crowd movement.
Two stages have been erected to accommodate around 150 guests each. The main platform will host the oath-taking ceremony, with PM Modi, senior BJP leaders, and newly inducted ministers seated alongside Nitish Kumar. The adjoining stage is reserved for special invitees, Padma awardees, and other dignitaries.
The NDA is mobilizing significant support for the event, with party units across Bihar expected to bring more than three lakh supporters. Legislators have been asked to bring sizable contingents to underscore the alliance's political heft. Accommodation arrangements have been made across Patna, with about 260 rooms booked in top hotels for visiting leaders.
In addition to Nitish Kumar, around 20 legislators are expected to be sworn in as ministers, against a maximum strength of 36. Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha are likely to retain their positions as deputy CMs. Deliberations continued late into the night to finalize details of portfolio allocations after Amit Shah arrived in Patna.
Nitish Kumar's journey to this 10th term as Chief Minister has been marked by shifting alliances and political maneuvering. He resigned on Wednesday as head of the outgoing NDA government, and Governor Arif Mohammad Khan accepted his resignation and asked him to continue as caretaker CM until the new government is sworn in.
The swearing-in ceremony at Gandhi Maidan, the venue of his inaugurations in 2005, 2010, and 2015, signifies Nitish Kumar's bolstered political strength. The event is a testament to his resilience and popularity in Bihar politics.
