Nitish Set to Take Oath as Bihar CM; Sushil Modi May Not Be Deputy

The decision was announced after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived at Nitish’s residence for a meeting.

Nitish Kumar Returns as Bihar CM; Set to Take Oath on Monday  

(Photo: The Quint)

Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar after staking claim to form the government at the Raj Bhavan on Sunday, 15 November, said that the oath-taking ceremony will be held on Monday, 16 November.

After being elected as the chief of the NDA legislature party, Nitish Kumar will now be the Chief Minister of Bihar for a fourth straight term.

This decision was announced after Defence Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh met Nitish Kumar at the latter’s residence for a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on the results of the Bihar Assembly elections.

NDA meet at Nitish Kumar’s residence.

NDA meet at Nitish Kumar’s residence.

NDA meet at Nitish Kumar’s residence.

Who Will Be the Deputy CM?

BJP’s Sushil Kumar Modi in a cryptic tweet hinted that he might not continue as the deputy chief minister of the state, leading to new names being discussed for the position. In his tweet, Sushil Modi said that he is ready to take up any responsibility that is given to him by the party.

Meanwhile, the two names doig the rounds for the post of deputy CM are of BJP leaders Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi.

Sushil Modi in his tweets earlier congratulated Tarkishore Prasad on being elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party, and Renu Devi on being elected as the deputy leader.

Following his tweets, speculations are rife that the BJP might be mulling the idea of having two deputy CMs in the state.

‘How Can Someone With 40 Seats Become the CM?’ Questions RJD

Hours before the NDA partners met to elect the chief minister of Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal came out to pitch against Nitish Kumar being picked for the top job. RJD leader Manoj Jha told ANI that the mandate of people was against Nitish Kumar.

“How can someone become chief minister after getting 40 seats? People’s mandate is against him, he is decimated and should decide on it. Bihar will find its alternative, which will be spontaneous.”

Manoj Jha, RJD Leader

Congress also joined RJD in attacking Nitish and said that the BJP will now control him. “The BJP has conspired to weaken Nitish Kumar. Now even if he is elected as NDA’s leader or chief minister, someone else will control him,” Congress leader Tariq Anwar said.

The NDA comprises of Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), the Bharatiya Janata Party, Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM) and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). In an Assembly of 243 seats, this alliance won 125 seats. The BJP won 74 seats, the JD(U) won 43, HAM and VIP won four seats each.

Considering the poor performance of JD(U) in this elections, there have been speculations regarding Nitish Kumar being elected CM for another term or not. Senior BJP leaders however have reiterated that they stand by Nitish Kumar and intend on making him chief minister.