HIGHLIGHTS | Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar CM for record 9th time amid 'Jai Shri Ram' chants

Two Deputy CMs from BJP Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and six other ministers including Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Santosh Kumar Suman, and Shrawan Kumar took the oath today.

Nitish Kumar sworn-in as Chief Minister of new NDA government in Bihar

JD(U) president Nitish Kumar on Sunday took oath as the chief minister of Bihar for a record ninth time. He was administered the oath of office by Governor Rajendra Arlekar at the Raj Bhavan here.

Kumar had earlier in the day resigned as the chief minister, saying "things were not working well" for him in the 'Mahagathbandhan' and in the opposition bloc INDIA, and staked claim to form a new government with the BJP, which he had dumped less than 18 months ago.

VIDEO | @NitishKumar sworn in as Bihar CM for the 9th time at Raj Bhavan in Patna.#BiharChiefMinister #NitishKumar pic.twitter.com/qUYTrgPnok

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2024

All eyes on Nitish

Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar is likely to resign after chairing a meeting of JD(U) MLAs at his official residence on Sunday morning, according to reports. The JD(U) legislature party had earlier authorised Nitish to take a final call on the present political situation in the state.

Following the meeting, he is likely to visit the Raj Bhavan at around 11 am and submit his resignation letter to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

He will then stake claim to form a new government with the BJP's support, as per reports.

It will be the second volte-face by Kumar in less than 18 months, when he had dumped the BJP, accusing it of having tried to engineer a split in the JD(U), and joined hands with the RJD-Congress combine, with which he had severed his ties in 2017.

Nitish Kumar has readied his resignation and is likely to move towards governor House to tender his resignation within 30 minutes..... This time, department of Home is likely to go with the BJP as a strong section within the BJP is demanding it to introduce the Yogi model of law…

— Rajesh Kumar Thakur (@hajipurrajesh) January 28, 2024

'INDIA bloc is on the verge of collapse'

Janata Dal (United)'s political adviser and spokesperson K C Tyagi told reporters in Delhi on Saturday that the grand alliance government in Bihar is on the verge of collapse, and accused a section of the Congress leadership of repeatedly "insulting" Kumar.

"The INDIA bloc is on the verge of collapse. The alliance of INDIA bloc parties is almost over in Punjab, West Bengal and Bihar," he said.

Leaders to attend swearing-in ceremony

Bharatiya Janata Party chief JP Nadda along with Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan are likely to go to Patna to attend the swearing in ceremony in the evening today at the Raj Bhavan.

JP Nadda alongwith Chirag Paswan likely to go to Patna to attend the swearing in ceremony,to be held in hurry in the evening today at the Raj bhawan: Sources.@NewIndianXpress @Sunday_Standard

— Rajesh Kumar Thakur (@hajipurrajesh) January 28, 2024

Parties taking stock of situation

BJP leaders went into a huddle at the Patna party office on Saturday where a meeting attended by MPs and members of the state legislature, besides in-charge for Bihar Vinod Tawde, continued till late in the evening.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal held a meeting of its leaders on Saturday to take stock of the situation and chalk out a future course of action. After the meeting, RJD national spokesman Manoj Jha told reporters that "all leaders unanimously authorised the party supremo (Lalu Prasad) to take any decision regarding the developments that may take place today or tomorrow".

Nitish Kumar: A crafty cat with nine lives

The situation is a mirror of August 2022. Nitish had snapped ties with the NDA and formed a government with the Grand Alliance despite getting the 2020 assembly mandate as an NDA member. Even then, he had given himself time to prepare before taking a shot at Delhi.

HAM (S) ministers may join NDA with Nitish

Our correspondent Rajesh Kumar Thakur says 6-8 ministers including legislators from Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) are expected to take oath at the swearing-in ceremony of Nitish Kumar as CM.

The HAM (S) had joined the NDA in July 2023.

Bihar - development:
..and the most probably,6-8 ministers including from HAM( which holds the key to the government formation) are expected to take oath along with Nitish Kumar as CM ..The form of the NDA Government will have some new faces.. @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard

— Rajesh Kumar Thakur (@hajipurrajesh) January 28, 2024

Yet another U-turn by Nitish: Key Points

1. JD(U) president Nitish Kumar on Sunday took oath as the chief minister of Bihar for a record ninth time.

2. Two Deputy CMs from BJP Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and six other ministers including Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Santosh Kumar Suman, and Shrawan Kumar took the oath today.

3. The 18-month grand alliance government aka the 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar has collapsed with Nitish Kumar's resignation as CM

4. This is the JD(U) chief's second political volte face in less than 18 months.

5. RJD leaders and Congress leaders in the state are busy discussing their future amidst the current situation

6. The 72-year-old had held a meeting with JD(U) MLAs at 10 am today after which he met the Bihar Governor at around 11 and resigned as Chief Minister

7. The JD(U) and BJP together have more than 122 members in the 243-strong assembly. The magic figure is 122

8. Bihar's coalition govt comprises of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal (United), Indian National Congress (INC) and Left parties including Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation-CPIML (Liberation) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM)

9. Nitish's move has struck a massive blow to the 28-party INDIA Opposition alliance, months ahead of the Lok Sabha polls

10. In 2022, Nitish had formed the Bihar government in alliance with Lalu Yadav-led RJD, the Congress and Left parties, after breaking ties with the NDA

Nitish submits resignation, PM congratulates Nitish over phone

Nitish submitted his resignation letter to the Governor around 11 today. Reportedly, he did so after a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who congratulated the former.

Nitish has been asked to continue as caretaker CM till the new government is formed.

Minutes before tendering resignation, Nitish Kumar is understood to have spoken to PM Modi over the phone and apprised him of his decision also... sources said...PM Modi and Nitish will be sharing the stage on Feb 4..to set a new narrative in Bihar..@NewIndianXpress…

— Rajesh Kumar Thakur (@hajipurrajesh) January 28, 2024

Nitish claims the NDA has support of 128 MLAs in 243-member assembly

The magic figure is 122

Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation to governor Bihar.. @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/PZoaV8hn8S

— Rajesh Kumar Thakur (@hajipurrajesh) January 28, 2024

BJP legislature party gets new leader, deputy

After the BJP's Bihar unit met today, Vinod Tawde, the state in-charge told media that Samrat Choudhary has been elected as leader of the BJP legislature party and Vijay Kumar Sinha as the deputy leader.

BJP MLAs have approved the proposal to form an NDA government in Bihar with JD(U)'s support, said Tawde.

भाजपा बिहार ने सम्राट चौधरी जी को विधायक दल का नेता और विजय सिन्हा जी को उपनेता चुना है। मुझे पूरा भरोसा है कि प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी जी के कुशल नेतृत्व एवं जेपी नड्डा जी के मार्गदर्शन में दोनों ही बिहार के विकास के लिए बेहतरीन काम करेंगे।@samrat4bjp @VijayKrSinhaBih

— Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) January 28, 2024

Not comfortable in Grand Alliance: Nitish

Nitish Kumar told reporters outside Raj Bhavan that he was feeling uncomfortable in the Grand Alliance. It was difficult to work with RJD in the alliance, he added.

He claimed that even in seat-sharing talks, the INDIA alliance bloc had not made much progress. He said he would leave the earlier alliance and form a new alliance

#NitishKumar speaks to media after he tendered his resignation to Governor Rajendra Arlekar.

Video by Special Arrangement. pic.twitter.com/cc8oXwEDLW

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) January 28, 2024

Congress compares Nitish Kumar to a 'chameleon'

The Congress on Sunday said that the people of Bihar would never forgive his betrayal, comparing him to a chameleon. The party said that the Prime Minister and the BJP is scared of the Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and hence created political drama to divert the attention of people.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said they would strive to keep the INDIA alliance intact.

#WATCH | Jalpaiguri, West Bengal | Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh says, "It is not surprising that Nitish Kumar has resigned. He is a seasoned politician. He has been a Chief Minister for several years. But he keeps changing his political… pic.twitter.com/fRB0TTBLM8

— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2024

New state govt likely by evening today

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is all set to form a new government with the BJP-led NDA's support. The swearing-in will be held at Raj Bhavan at 5 pm with BJP president J P Nadda likely to participate.

Nitish will take oath along with 9 ministers - three from BJP and remaining from JD(U).

He will have two deputies: Vijay Sinha and Samrat Choudhary, according to reports.

Nitish submitted his resignation to Governor Rajendra V Arlekar on Sunday morning. The governor asked him to continue as caretaker CM till the new government is formed.

NDA leaders arrive at Nitish's official residence in Patna for a lunch meeting

Nitish's move was expected: Congress chief Kharge

देश में 'आया राम-गया राम' जैसे कई लोग हैं।

पहले वो और हम मिलकर लड़ रहे थे। जब मैंने लालू जी और तेजश्वी जी से बात की तो उन्होंने भी कहा कि नीतीश जा रहे हैं।

अगर वह रुकना चाहता तो रुक जाता लेकिन वह जाना चाहता है। इसलिए ये बात हमें पहले से ही पता थी, लेकिन इंडिया गठबंधन को… pic.twitter.com/pgjCISOFuV

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) January 28, 2024

Nitish calling off 'Mahagathbandhan' alliance expected: Jharkhand BJP

Jharkhand BJP chief and former state chief minister Babulal Marandi said, "Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav are poles apart. One is synonymous with corruption and Nitish Ji is one of the few leaders in the country who is known for his honesty. Neither he is engaged in corruption nor in promoting dynastic patronage politics. In contrast, Lalu Prasad is neck-deep in corruption and dynastic politics," Marandi said.

Taking a dig at RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, Marandi said "nature and signature of a person doesn't change" and Nitish Kumar could realise this after such a long time.

Jharkhand BJP chief Babulal Marandi(Photo | Facebook)

Nitish Kumar, Vinod Tawde, others reach Raj Bhavan

Nitish Kumar along with BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary, Vjay Kumar Sinha and Vinod Tawde have reached Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form an NDA government in the state.

#WATCH | Patna: JD(U) President and acting Bihar CM Nitish Kumar arrives at Raj Bhavan pic.twitter.com/OzWL4aqzEo

— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2024

'Garbage goes back into the dustbin': Lalu's daughter

Former Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's daughter Rohini Acharya took a dig at Nitish Kumar and said the 'garbage is now back into the bin'.

People will teach Nitish a lesson: Jharkhand Congress

"There is an adage in Hindi that 'jidhar dekha kheer, wahan gaye fir' (take turn wherever there is an opportunity), and it fits Nitish Kumar well," Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur said.

"People know him and will teach him a lesson. One Nitish Kumar will make no difference to the opposition bloc INDIA," he added.

Nitish Kumar's credibility 'finished', his exit 'will not weaken INDIA': Bhupesh Baghel

Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel hit out at Nitish Kumar, saying his credibility is now "finished".

"Seeing Nitish Kumar's activities, people had doubts that he would do something and he did so. This will not weaken the INDIA bloc," Baghel said.

#WATCH | Former Chhattisgarh CM & Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel says, "Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will be successful (in Bihar). Seeing Nitish Kumar's activities, people had doubts that he would do something and he did so. This will not weaken (INDIA bloc). The credibility of Nitish… pic.twitter.com/hl72YPIJqA

— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2024

Shashi Tharoor takes dig at Nitish Kumar with 'word of the day', calls him Snollygoster

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday took a swipe at Nitish Kumar over his latest volte-face after he walked out of the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar, dubbing him as a "snollygoster" or a shrewd and unprincipled politician.

<Sigh!> Didn’t realise it would be the Word of Another Day too ! #Snollygoster https://t.co/W6KKVrGb5i

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 28, 2024

"Word of the day! Definition of 'snollygoster' US dialect: a shrewd, unprincipled politician. First Known Use: 1845. Most recent use: 26/7/17" , Tharoor posted on X.

Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi, PM Modi should apologise to people of Bihar: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

Reacting to the political developments in Bihar, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, "Nitish Kumar, Tesjaswi Yadav and PM Modi should apologise to the people of Bihar.All three have betrayed the people of Bihar, especially Nitish Kumar.The term political opportunism will be an understatement, Nitish Kumar has broken all records."

"I want to ask Tejashwi Yadav how does it feel? He took away four of our MLAs. Does he feel the same pain now? He has been played the same way he played us," Owaisi said.

"Nitish Kumar wants to be the CM for as long as he lives. BJP just wants everything to themselves, by hook or by crook. The people of Bihar have been betrayed. There is no development in Bihar," he added.

Nitish Kumar giving tough competition to chameleons in changing colours: Jairam Ramesh

Reacting to Nitish Kumar's exit from the INDIA bloc, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "Nitish Kumar, who frequently changes political partners, is giving tough competition to the chameleons in changing colours."

"It is quite clear that the Prime Minister and the BJP are scared of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and this political drama has been created to divert attention from it," Ramesh posted on X.

बार-बार राजनीतिक साझेदार बदलने वाले नीतीश कुमार रंग बदलने में गिरगिटों को कड़ी टक्कर दे रहे हैं।

इस विश्वासघात के विशेषज्ञ और उन्हें इशारों पर नचाने वालों को बिहार की जनता माफ़ नहीं करेगी।

बिलकुल साफ़ है की भारत जोड़ो न्याय यात्रा से प्रधानमंत्री और भाजपा घबराए हुए हैं और उससे… https://t.co/v47tQ8ykaw

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) January 28, 2024

People will teach a lesson to Nitish Kumar at the right time, says DMK

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's exit from the Mahagathbandhan alliance and consequently the INDIA bloc to align with the BJP is a "loss" for the Saffron party and a "gain" for the opposition alliance, Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK said on Sunday.

Reacting to Nitish Kumar's move, DMK spokesperson J Constandine Ravindran said, "People will never accept this act of betrayal. Though Kumar is a veteran leader in Bihar, he has completely lost credibility. He has no integrity. Integrity and credibility are very important for a leader."

Furthermore, he said,"Nitish Kumar leaving the INDIA bloc is a gain for us (opposition alliance) and it is a loss for the BJP. People will teach a lesson to Nitish Kumar at the right time."

JD(U) took decision due to absence of seriousness in INDIA Bloc, says party MLC Neeraj Kumar

JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar says, “We are going to form a new government with BJP and HAM. For those who were claiming that it wouldn’t be easy this time – we submitted a letter of support by 128 MLAs, at the Raj Bhavan. CM will be sworn in as a 9th-time CM. We made this decision due to the absence of seriousness in INDIA Alliance. INDIA Alliance has died an untimely death in politics. Their story is finished.”

Watch: Celebrations outside BJP office in Patna as Nitish Kumar set to join NDA shortly

JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar resigned as Bihar Chief Minister on Sunday, saying "things were not working well" for him in the 'Mahagathbandhan' he had joined less than 18 months ago and in the opposition bloc INDIA.

#WATCH | Bihar: Celebrations outside BJP office in Patna as acting CM Nitish Kumar is set to join NDA shortly pic.twitter.com/YLaKcq1Buy

— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2024

Posters of PM Narendra Modi with Nitish Kumar in Patna

Posters of PM Narendra Modi with Nitish Kumar being put up in Patna before swearing-in ceremony of new NDA government in Bihar scheduled to happen at 5 p.m on Sunday.

Posters of PM Narendra Modi with Nitish KumarPhoto | Express

Today's incident has shown that all politicians in Bihar are also 'palturam': Prashant Kishor

Political strategist Prashant Kishor on Sunday said that he had predicted the likelihood of Nitish Kumar switching allegiances. He pointed out that Nitish Kumar is widely recognized as a 'palturam' and the 'sardar of palturams.'

"If you look back at my remarks over the past one year, then you would find out that I was the only person who on camera said that Nitish Kumar can change his side anytime. People already know that Nitish Kumar is a 'palturam' and 'sardar of palturams'. However, today's incident has shown that all politicians in Bihar are also 'palturam'," Kishor stated.

Read what Prasant said in detail here.

VIDEO | "If you look back at my remarks over the past one year, then you would find out that I was the only person who on camera said that Nitish Kumar can change his side anytime. People already know that Nitish Kumar is a 'palturam' and 'sardar of palturams'. However, today's… pic.twitter.com/N5pbcCoVfF

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2024

TMC flays Nitish for frequent 'political somersaults'

The TMC on Sunday slammed JD(U) president Nitish Kumar for his "repeated political somersaults" after he dumped the 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar, and asserted that people will respond fittingly to such "opportunism".”

Samrat Choudhary, OBC leader whose stock rose rapidly upon joining BJP

An OBC leader of the BJP in Bihar where the party wants to transcend its "pro-upper caste" image, Samrat Choudhary has had a meteoric rise since he joined the outfit nearly seven years ago.

Choudhary was elected the leader of the BJP legislature party on Sunday, and with this elevation, he is likely to become one of the two deputy CMs in the new NDA government, led by Nitish Kumar.

Read the full story here

Preparations underway at Patna's Raj Bhavan for Nitish Kumar's oath-taking ceremony

VIDEO | Preparations underway at Raj Bhavan in Patna ahead of oath-taking ceremony.#NitishKumar #BiharPoliticalCrisis pic.twitter.com/VReXovLRgO

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2024

JP Nadda, Chirag Paswan arrive at Patna Airport ahead of Nitish Kumar's oath-taking ceremony

BJP president J P Nadda being welcomed at Patna airport.Photo | Special arrangement

Outgoing Dy CM Tejashwi Yadav says 'JDU will be finished in 2024

On JDU Chief Nitish Kumar resigning as the CM of Bihar and JD(U)-BJP alliance, outgoing Dy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said, ‘Khela Abhi Baki Hai’. He further said that JDU Will Be Finished in 2024.

#WATCH | On Nitish Kumar joining NDA and breaking ties with RJD, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, "He was a tired CM. Khel abhi shuru huai, khel abhi baki hain. I can give you in writing that the JDU party will be finished in 2024. The public is with us..." pic.twitter.com/yQfQmodkEh

— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2024

Vijay Kumar Sinha, a versatile upper-caste BJP leader

PATNA: An experienced upper-caste BJP leader, Vijay Kumar Sinha has held posts as varied as the Bihar Assembly Speaker, a cabinet minister and Leader of the Opposition.

Sinha, 64, was elected the deputy leader of the BJP legislature party on Sunday, and with this elevation, he is likely to become one of the two deputy CMs in the new NDA government, led by Nitish Kumar.

Read Vijay Kumar Sinha's profile here.

BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha and Samrat Choudhary take oath as Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar

BJP’s Vijay Sinha takes oath as minister in NDA government. He was the LoP in the Bihar assembly when Mahagathbandhan government was in power

VIDEO | BJP leader @VijayKrSinhaBih sworn in as Bihar Minister at Raj Bhavan in Patna. pic.twitter.com/iXJqF7MhAw

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2024

We are looking forward to winning 40 out of 40 LS seats in the state: BJP's Samrat Choudhary

After taking the oath as a minister in Bihar cabinet, BJP leader Samrat Choudhary emphasised that the development of Bihar would be their top priority. 

“Bihar’s development will be our priority. We are looking forward to winning 40 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state,” Choudhary said.

VIDEO | “Bihar’s development will be our priority. We are looking forward to winning 40 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state,” says BJP leader @samrat4bjp after taking oath as Bihar Minister. pic.twitter.com/bha4cud8wB

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2024