Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10th time on 20 November 2025, marking a historic moment in Indian state politics. His oath-taking ceremony took place at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, attended by top national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This event not only underscores Nitish’s long-standing dominance in Bihar politics but also reflects his reputation as a political survivor, able to navigate shifting alliances and electoral landscapes.
Political Background and Context
• Electoral Victory and Alliance Strength
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), under Nitish’s leadership, won 202 out of 243 assembly seats in the 2025 Bihar elections.
Within the NDA, BJP secured 89 seats and JD(U) won 85.
After the win, Nitish Kumar was unanimously elected as the leader of the NDA legislative party, following which he staked a claim to form the government.
• Significance of the Venue
The choice of Gandhi Maidan is symbolic. This historic ground has hosted several of Nitish’s previous swearing-ins (2005, 2010, 2015), highlighting a full-circle moment for his political journey.
The grand ceremony, with national leaders in attendance, underlines both his stature in Bihar and his alignment with the central NDA leadership.
• Governance Narrative
In his pre-oath remarks, Nitish pledged that “Bihar will embark on a new journey of development.“
His narrative is rooted in his long-standing image as “Sushasan Babu”, focusing on stability and development.
Strategic Implications
For the NDA, retaining Nitish is strategically valuable: he brings a strong ground-level organizational structure via JD(U), and his popularity among certain caste groups is significant.
For Nitish, the 10th term is not just a personal milestone but a reaffirmation of his political brand – someone who delivers stability and can negotiate power.
Going forward, the real test will be whether he can convert political longevity into developmental outcomes that resonate with Bihar’s electorate, especially among the youth.
