Nitish Kumar took oath as the chief minister of Bihar for the ninth time just hours after he tendered his resignation to the governor amid chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai and Jai Shree Ram. Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan, Samrat Chaudhary, JP Nadda were present as Nitish Kumar took the oath. The oath taking ceremony of the new government took place at the Raj Bhavan in Patna, Bihar.

Congratulating Nitish Kumar, Prime minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “The NDA government formed in Bihar will leave no stone unturned for the development of the state and to fulfil the aspirations of its people”.

बिहार में बनी एनडीए सरकार राज्य के विकास और यहां के लोगों की आकांक्षाओं को पूरा करने के लिए कोई कोर-कसर नहीं छोड़ेगी। @NitishKumar जी को मुख्यमंत्री और सम्राट चौधरी जी एवं विजय सिन्हा जी को उप मुख्यमंत्री पद की शपथ लेने पर मेरी बहुत-बहुत बधाई।

मुझे विश्वास है कि यह टीम पूरे…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2024

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar reached the Raj Bhavan and tendered his resignation to Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Sunday morning, January 28. He has, reportedly, a deal with BJP to continue as chief minister and also for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Nitish Kumar met the governor at the Raj Bhavan following a meeting of Janata Dal (United) MLSs at his residence around 10.15am. He has tendered his resignation by breaking away all the alliances less than 18 months after forming a new government in the state that support of Lalu Prasad Yadav”s Rashtriya Janata Dal.

While talking to the media outside the Raj Bhavan, Nitish Kumar said, “Today, I have resigned from the post of chief minister and I have also asked the governor to dissolve the government in the state…”, reports Hindustan Times.

The governor has accepted Nitish Kumar”s resignation and asked him to continue as caretaker chief minister till a new government is formed. He was accompanied by senior minister Bijendra Yadav of the JD(U) when he went to the Raj Bhavan.

“Honorable governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar accepted the resignation of Honorable chief minister Shri Nitish Kumar and asked him to act as acting chief minister until alternative arrangements are made,” the Raj Bhavan wrote on X.

माननीय राज्यपाल श्री राजेंद्र विश्वनाथ आर्लेकर @rajendraarlekar ने माननीय मुख्यमंत्री श्री नीतीश कुमार का त्यागपत्र स्वीकार किया तथा वैकल्पिक व्यवस्था होने तक उन्हें कार्यवाहक मुख्यमंत्री के रूप में कार्य करने को कहा। pic.twitter.com/t5mo95pYKp

— Raj Bhavan, Bihar (@GovernorBihar) January 28, 2024

This is the fifth volte-face the JDU leader set to be doing in last 11 years.

Nitish Kumar, a prominent figure in India’s political landscape, has been known for his strategic alliances and occasional shifts in political allegiance. His journey in Bihar politics has been marked by notable instances of political flip-flops, including his alliances with various parties to secure power.

From forming coalitions with BJP to joining hands with RJD and Congress, Kumar”s maneuvers have often been perceived as pragmatic responses to changing political dynamics. While some commend his adaptability, others criticize it as opportunistic.

In the Bihar Assembly, comprising 243 members, the RJD holds 79 seats, making it the largest party. It is closely followed by the BJP, with 78 seats, and the JD(U) with 45 seats. The Congress has 19 seats, while the CPI (M-L) holds 12 seats. Additionally, there are two seats each for the CPI(M) and CPI, four seats for the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and one seat each for the AIMIM and an Independent legislator.