Bihar is slated to form a new government on Thursday following a landslide NDA victory in the recent elections. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is likely to stay on for a record tenth term in office — possibly joined by two deputy CMs from the BJP and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). The ruling coalition is also set to hold a legislative party meeting on November 19 ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.
“Tomorrow, the legislative party meeting of the BJP will be held, and after that, the legislative party meeting of the NDA will be convened. The swearing-in ceremony will be held on 20th November at the Gandhi Maidan. PM Modi, along with major BJP leaders, CMs, and Deputy CMs from various states, will participate in the swearing-in ceremony…We will take an oath to fulfil the dream of Viksit Bihar,” Bihar State BJP President Dilip Jaiswal told ANI.
He also said that BJP would choose its leader during the 10:00 am Legislature Party meeting on Wednesday. The work of government formation is expected to conclude by the end of this week. JD(U) leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary announced that the Bihar Cabinet has formally recommended the dissolution of the current Assembly from November 19.
Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister?
Multiple leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah have insisted over the past two months that the Bihar elections were being fought under Nitish Kumar. NDA politicians had also backed the assumption that Kumar was in line for yet another term in office. But the NDA has so far stopped short of a formal endorsement of the Janata Dal (United) chief as its Chief Ministerial candidate.
Source-based reports suggested this week that the Bihar Cabinet formula had been finalised with Kumar remaining as Chief Minister despite initial hesitation from the BJP. The party is reportedly following a ‘one minister for every six MLAs’ plan — leaving the BJP with a slightly higher number of lawmakers. The party had emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats while the JD(U) won 85 seats. The Chirag Paswan-led LJP (RV) won 19 seats, HAM (S) won 5 seats, and RLM won 4 seats.
Chirag Paswan as Deputy CM?
Bihar is likely to get two Deputy Chief Ministers from allied parties under the seat-sharing formula — likely from the BJP and LJP (RV). Much has been said about the possibility of Paswan assuming the role following the strong performance put up by his party.
“I have always believed that my strike rate has been close to 100 per cent, and I expect the same this time. I am confident my party will win all 29 seats it is contesting and if this happens, we would expect a Deputy Chief Minister post. I believe there should be respect in an alliance. If your partners are performing well they should be rewarded,” Paswan had told India Today well before the votes were counted.
The Union Minister had however insisted that he would not personally assume the role after being entrusted with responsibilities at the Centre. Paswan had said that “some leader from the LJP (RV)” would definitely assume the post.
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