Nitish Takes Oath as Bihar CM; Tejaswi Yadav to Become Deputy CM

The Quint’s live updates as the Nitish Kumar-led government takes oath at Gandhi Maidan, Patna

(From Left) Lalu Prasad Yadav’s younger son, Tejaswi Yadav, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav at the swearing-in ceremony at Gandhi Maidan, Patna. (Photo Collage: The Quint) 

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Gandhi Maidan Witnesses a Grand Show

At around 1 pm, Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad Yadav and family arrived at Gandhi Maidan in Patna for the swearing in ceremony of the new Bihar government. As Nitish Kumar took oath for the fifth time as Chief Minister, Lalu’s younger son, 26-year-old Tejaswi Yadav was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister. Lalu’s elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav was sworn in after is brother. He was followed by Lalu’s close aid, Abdul Bari Siddiqui.

Sources say Vijay Chowdhary, who is Nitish’s close aid, is likely to be made speaker of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha.

Seen on the stage at Gandhi Maidan were senior BJP leaders, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and Nitish’s close friend, Sushil Kumar Modi.

Praise, support and applause poured in for Nitish Kumar. The swearing in ceremony was a show of strength not just for the Nitish-led Grand Alliance, but also for the entire anti-Modi front. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Former Delhi Cheif Minister Sheila Dixit, Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja along with Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Sharad Pawar were present on stage.

Updated at:20th Nov, 2015 at 3:05 PM

Highly placed sources in the RJD confirm to The Quint that Abdul Bari Siddiqui to be made the Finance Minister.

Rahul Gandhi Misses Ceremony Due to Air Traffic

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi missed Nitish Kumar’s swearing-in ceremony because his flight got delayed.

Updated at:20th Nov, 2015 at 3:09 PM

Biggest Anti-Modi Congregation at Gandhi Maidan

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja along with Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Sharad Pawar present on stage to show support for the anti-Modi front in Bihar.

Updated at:20th Nov, 2015 at 2:27 PM

Tej Pratap Yadav, Abdul Bari Siddiqui Take Oath

Lalu Prasad Yadav’s elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav also sworn in to Nitish’s cabinet. Sources told The Quint, he is likely to be given the health portfolio. Tej Pratap fumbled while taking oath of office.

Abdul Bari Siddiqui, close aide of Lalu Prasad Yadav also takes oath into Nitish’s cabinet. Reports suggest he enjoys good relations with Nitish Kumar and could be given the all important finance portfolio.

Updated at:20th Nov, 2015 at 2:18 PM

Tejaswi Yadav Sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister

Lalu Prasad Yadav’s younger son, Tejaswi Yadav sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar at the age of 26.

Updated at:20th Nov, 2015 at 2:09 PM

Nitish Kumar Takes Oath

Nitish Kumar takes oath for the fifth time as the Chief Minister of Bihar.

Updated at:20th Nov, 2015 at 2:18 PM

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Former Aides and Opposition Leaders Arrive

Former Deputy Chief Minister and close friend of Nitish Kumar, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu arrive at Gandhi Maidan.

Updated at:20th Nov, 2015 at 1:55 PM

Praise and Support Pours in for Nitish

Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit arrives at Gandhi Maidan. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also expected to arrive shortly.

Reactions and praise pouring in for Nitish Kumar.

Former Chief Ministers of Jammu & Kashmir Farooq Abdullah, and his son Omar Abdullah are likely to attend the ceremony. Speaking to the media, Omar said, Nitish is touted to be Prime Minister in 2019.

Updated at:20th Nov, 2015 at 1:49 PM

Massive Show of Strength

Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav greet each other with a warm embrace, minutes before the ceremony begins at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.

Also seen on the dais with Lalu Prasad Yadav is the mastermind behind the Grand Alliance’s political campaign, Prashant Kishore.

Updated at:20th Nov, 2015 at 1:42 PM

A Star Studded Affair

A total of 28 ministers will be taking oath shortly. Sources say Vijay Chowdhary, who is Nitish’s close aid, is likely to be made speaker of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha. It is a massive show of strength for Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav. Kumar had tweeted the guest list on 18 November. According to this list Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav was supposed to attend the ceremony, but has reportedly cancelled.

Updated at:20th Nov, 2015 at 3:05 PM

Game, Set and Match!

Good afternoon. This is The Quint’s live-blog as the stage is set for the Nitish Kumar-led government to take oath. Highly placed sources have exclusively confirmed to The Quint that Lalu Prasad Yadav’s younger son, Tejaswi Yadav will be sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister. Tej Pratap, the elder son, will also be sworn in to the cabinet and is likely to be given the Health portfolio.

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Updated at:20th Nov, 2015 at 1:42 PM