Bihar has begun a new political phase as Nitish Kumar returned as Chief Minister with a team of 26 ministers. The large oath ceremony at Gandhi Maidan in Patna drew national attention not only because it marked his tenth term but also because the gathering included many top leaders from across India. The moment felt important for the state, and people watched closely to understand what direction the new government might take.
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A Major Oath Ceremony With National Presence
On 20 November, Gandhi Maidan turned into a central stage for national politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and several chief ministers from NDA-run states including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the event. Their presence showed the strong connection between the Centre and the state government. It also signaled that the alliance expects to work together on many development projects.
For supporters, the large gathering felt like a show of unity. Many noted that Nitish Kumar taking oath for the tenth time reflected his unusual political journey and his ability to keep reshaping alliances while remaining a major leader in the state.
New Cabinet of Nitish Kumar With Fresh and Experienced Leaders
The new government includes familiar names as well as ten new ministers who are joining the cabinet for the first time. Two BJP leaders, Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha, took oath as Deputy Chief Ministers. When added to the Chief Minister, the total number of ministers stands at 27.
The BJP’s share includes Dilip Jaiswal, Mangal Pandey, Ram Kripal Yadav, Sanjay Singh Tiger, Nitin Nabin, Arun Shankar Prasad, Surendra Mehta, Narayan Prasad, Rama Nishad, Lakhendra Roshan, Shreyasi Singh, and Pramod Kumar.
The JDU ministers include Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Shravan Kumar, Ashok Chaudhary, Md Zama Khan, Leshi Singh, Madan Sahni, and Sunil Kumar.
The remaining ministers represent allies LJP-RV, RLM, and HAM. These are Sanjay Kumar, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Deepak Prakash, and Santosh Kumar Suman.
The choice of ten new ministers suggests the government wanted to give space to younger and lesser-known leaders. BJP’s seven newcomers show the party’s attempt to strengthen its bench for the future, while Nitish Kumar kept his own team steady by retaining all eight JDU ministers from the previous term.
Balance of Communities in the New Cabinet of Nitish
Caste balance remains an essential part of Bihar politics. The new cabinet reflects this long-standing reality. The leadership seemed careful while allocating berths to different communities.
Eight ministers come from the general category, and this group includes Rajputs, Bhumihars, Brahmins, and Kayasthas. Nine ministers represent backward communities such as Kushwahas, Kurmis, Vaishyas, and Yadavs. The Dalit community has a representation with five members whereas Three of the ministers are from the Extremely Backward Castes. One of the ministers is a Muslim .
This mix suggests the alliance wants to maintain its support across groups and avoid any political gap that could affect future elections. Many political observers noted that this structure closely mirrors the social composition that helped the NDA return to power.
Two Images That Defined the Ceremony
Even though the political meaning of the day was clear, two smaller moments stood out and got people talking.
The Gamcha Gesture and PM Modi
Prime Minister Modi waved a traditional gamcha to greet the crowd. During his trips to Bihar, this simple gesture has become a common sight. A lot of people link it to local culture, and it shows that the PM wants to respect regional customs.
Read also – Modi Addressed BJP Workers and Announced Mahila and Youth as the New MY Formula in the Bihar Election
Ministers Taking the Oath Together
Another thing that got people’s attention was how several ministers took their oath at the same time. Their voices overlapped, and the words were hard to follow. Normally, the Governor listens closely to each oath to ensure the language is correct, but due to the large number of ministers and limited time, a group oath appeared to be the chosen method. Such scenes have happened before in large oath ceremonies, but they often spark debate about protocol.
Opposition Raises Nepotism Allegations
The RJD reacted strongly to the new cabinet. The party posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the NDA had promoted leaders from political families while accusing others of doing the same. Their list included names like Samrat Chaudhary, Santosh Suman Manjhi, Deepak Prakash, Shreyasi Singh, Rama Nishad, Vijay Choudhary, Ashok Chaudhary, Nitin Nabin, Sunil Kumar, and Leshi Singh.
According to the RJD, these choices showed that the NDA followed the same “dynasty politics” pattern they often criticized. NDA leaders dismissed the allegation and argued that voters choose representatives based on their work, not their family background.
Deepak Prakash Becomes a Talking Point
Another topic people discussed was the inclusion of Deepak Prakash, son of RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha. He took oath as a minister even though he did not contest an election. His mother won an MLA seat, and his father serves as a Rajya Sabha member. The entire family holding significant political roles led many to debate whether this fit into the broader conversation on political families.
Some analysts believe his appointment may help strengthen the alliance’s support among communities where Kushwaha has influence. Others see it as a move to groom a young leader for the future. Either way, his name drew strong attention and sparked conversation about the party’s long-term strategies.
What People Expect and Early Signs
Bihar voters are now looking at the new government with both hope and caution. People want better education, more job opportunities, better public services, and electricity that works. They also hope the new cabinet will focus on reducing migration by creating local options for youth.
Supporters believe that coordination between the Centre and state governments may help speed up large development projects. This might include road networks, health facilities, and digital infrastructure. Critics, on the other hand, say that Bihar has heard a lot of promises over the years and that real progress will only be seen when things change.
What the New Term Means for the State
The return of Nitish Kumar There are both changes and continuities in Bihar’s leadership. The Chief Minister has been in charge of the state for almost twenty years, with only a few short breaks. His experience is seen as a plus when things are politically uncertain. He brought ten new people into the cabinet to try to make the government feel new again without losing its institutional memory.
At the same time, issues like accusations of nepotism and the strange group oath ceremony show that there will be problems in the future. The government will need to build trust with the public, keep allies together, and deliver results that are always the same.
Conclusion: A fresh start with high hopes
The state is now in a time of waiting as the Nitish Kumar Bihar government begins to work. People want basic services to get better, the government to be more stable, and development to happen more quickly. This term gives a chance to reset the priorities and clearly respond to what the public needs, with strong support from alliance partners and coordination with the Centre. In the next few months, we’ll see how well this new leadership can move the state forward.
