Bihar: Nitish Kumar to Resign Today Following Final Cabinet Meeting; Announcement of New Chief Minister Expected This Evening

Patna: Bihar is set to learn the identity of its new Chief Minister today. Nitish Kumar, who has served as Bihar’s CM for 20 years, will convene a cabinet meeting at 11:00 AM. During this meeting, several key agendas are expected to be approved. Following this, he will attend the legislative party meeting of the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)]. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will also hold its own legislative party meeting. Subsequently, CM Nitish Kumar will tender his resignation to Governor Syed Ata Hasnain.

Following the Chief Minister’s resignation, a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will be held under the supervision of Union Minister and observer Shivraj Singh Chouhan. During this meeting, Shivraj Singh is expected to announce the name of Bihar’s next Chief Minister. Reports suggest that the BJP high command has already finalized the name of the Chief Minister. Today, BJP leader Nitin Nabin and Union Minister Shivraj Singh will arrive from Delhi; both leaders will participate in the NDA legislative party meeting. Subsequently, the new Chief Minister will meet with the Governor to stake a claim to form the government.

What Will Be the Structure of the New Government?

On Monday, a high-level meeting took place at the Chief Minister’s official residence. Attendees included JD(U) Executive President Sanjay Jha, along with Lalan Singh, Bijendra Yadav, Vijay Chaudhary, Shravan Kumar, and Jama Khan. All participants held discussions with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The agenda included discussions regarding the upcoming NDA legislative party meeting scheduled for April 14, the selection of ministers from the JD(U) quota, and the potential inclusion of Nishant Kumar. Following the meeting, Lalan Singh and Sanjay Jha visited Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary at his residence. This meeting lasted for approximately 35 minutes. Sources indicate that the list of JD(U) Deputy Chief Ministers and ministers has been handed over to Samrat Chaudhary. Reports suggest that the new cabinet may feature two Deputy Chief Ministers from the JD(U) side, with Nishant Kumar’s name currently being considered as a top contender. The remaining incumbent ministers are expected to be retained. Ministers representing the quotas of the BJP, LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM, and RLMO are also expected to be reappointed. Swearing-in Ceremony on April 15
Bihar will get its new Chief Minister on April 15. The swearing-in ceremony has been scheduled for 11:00 AM at Lok Bhawan. A total of 21 ministers, including the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, are expected to take the oath during the event. For the first time, the BJP will assume the role of the “elder brother” in the alliance. Samrat Chaudhary’s name currently tops the list of contenders in the race for the new Chief Minister’s post. Considering recent political developments, his name is likely to be finalized. Security at Samrat Chaudhary’s residence was also stepped up on Monday evening.