Preparations for the formation of a new government in Bihar have reached a crucial stage. Newly elected National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MLAs will hold a crucial meeting in Patna tomorrow to elect the leader of the NDA legislative party. A total of 202 MLAs from the five coalition constituents—the BJP, JDU, LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha—will be present at the meeting.
Political signals are clear that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may once again be elected leader of the NDA legislative party. The coalition will then approach the Governor to stake claim to form a new government.
Before the NDA meeting, the BJP and the Janata Dal (United) will hold their respective legislative party meetings tomorrow to elect their legislative party leaders, as part of the formalities for government formation.
Negotiations are underway between the two major NDA constituents—the BJP and JDU—on the size of the new cabinet, the distribution of portfolios, and the share of allies. JDU Working President Sanjay Jha and senior leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) have arrived in Delhi, where they will meet with the BJP’s top leadership, to finalize the final decision.
Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony at Patna’s iconic Gandhi Maidan are nearly complete. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Ministers of several BJP-ruled states, and senior NDA leaders are expected to attend the event, which is considered a major political platform for the new government in Bihar.
The state cabinet has recommended the dissolution of the 17th Legislative Assembly with effect from November 19. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to submit his resignation to the Governor tomorrow, after which he will formally stake claim to form a new government.
Bihar politics is currently extremely active, and the NDA’s landslide victory is set to determine a new form of power. The next 24 hours will determine the state’s political direction.