Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar Chief Minister for record 10th time
Opposition welcomes Nitish’s 10th oath but urge new NDA government to fulfil its promises
Dubai: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was sworn in for a record tenth term on Thursday during a grand, high-security ceremony at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan, marking yet another defining moment in his 20-year grip over state politics.
Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan administered the oath of office, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a galaxy of NDA Chief Ministers and senior leaders attended, underscoring the alliance’s consolidated strength after its emphatic Assembly victory.
Nitish’s son, Nishant Kumar, welcomed the mandate, calling it a moment of “personal pride” and thanking voters for rewarding the NDA with “more support than expected.”
“I congratulate the people and our entire NDA family. We fulfilled promises earlier and will continue doing so,” Nishant said.
Prime Minister Modi too congratulated Nitish, describing him as an “experienced administrator” with a strong governance record. The PM also lauded newly appointed Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha, calling them leaders with deep grassroots experience.
No CM has taken oath as many times as Nitish
No other chief minister in India has been sworn in as many times as Bihar’s longest-serving leader Nitish Kumar, who on Thursday took oath as Chief Minister for a record 10th term, further cementing his status as one of the country’s most enduring political figures.
At 74, Kumar also crossed another milestone: Extending his nearly 19-year tenure as Chief Minister, placing him among the top 10 longest-serving heads of government in India’s political history.
Born in 1951 in Bakhtiyarpur, Nitish Kumar’s political journey began during the JP Movement, after which he joined the Janata Party. He lost his first Assembly election in 1977 but won his maiden victory in 1985. Over the decades, his political decisions—often involving switching alliances—have earned him the nickname ‘Paltu Ram’, even as his administrative record also earned him the contrasting title ‘Sushashan Babu’.
With his latest swearing-in, Kumar joins a league historically dominated by stalwarts such as Pawan Kumar Chamling, Naveen Patnaik, and Jyoti Basu, who have shaped the governance of their states over decades.
Alongside Nitish, 25 ministers took oath — a mix of JD(U), BJP, LJP (RV), HAM(S) and RLM leaders. The list included senior figures such as Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Nitin Nabin, Ram Kripal Yadav, Mangal Pandey, Shreyashi Singh, Sunil Kumar and Madan Sahani. Their induction signalled an attempt to maintain caste balance, regional representation and coalition harmony.
The swearing-in venue, Gandhi Maidan, holds symbolic weight: It hosted Nitish’s previous inaugurations in 2005, 2010 and 2015, and is remembered for Jayaprakash Narayan’s 1974 “total revolution” call, a moment deeply connected to Bihar’s political culture.
The 2025 Assembly election was widely seen as a litmus test for Nitish Kumar. Yet the NDA swept 202 seats, allowing him once again to position himself as the central figure around whom Bihar’s political currents continue to flow. Nitish, now 74, has served as CM almost continuously since 2005, with only a brief nine-month break in 2014–15.
India’s longest serving chief ministers
Sikkim – Pawan Kumar Chamling: Over 25 years (December 12, 1994 – May 26, 2019)
Odisha – Naveen Patnaik: Over 24 years (March 5, 2000 – June 11, 2024)
West Bengal – Jyoti Basu: Over 23 years (June 21, 1977 – November 5, 2000)
Arunachal Pradesh – Gegong Apang: Over 22 years across two terms (1980–1999; 2003–2007)
Mizoram – Lal Thanhawla: Over 22 years across three stints (1984–86; 1989–98; 2008–2018)
Himachal Pradesh – Virbhadra Singh: Over 21 years across four stints (1983–2017)
Tripura – Manik Sarkar: Over 19 years (March 11, 1998 – March 9, 2018)
Bihar – Nitish Kumar: About 19 years across multiple stints (2000; 2005–2014; 2015–2025)
Tamil Nadu – M. Karunanidhi: Over 18 years across five terms (1969–2011)
Punjab – Parkash Singh Badal: Over 18 years across four stints (1970–2017)
While the NDA celebrated, the Opposition balanced congratulations with caution.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav urged Nitish to deliver on promises of jobs, development and social welfare. “I hope this government brings qualitative change,” he wrote on X.
In West Champaran, Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor, whose party failed to open its account, observed a silent ‘maun vrat’ at Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram. Calling it “self-purification”, his party said the fast symbolised renewed commitment to holding the government accountable.
“There is an opposition vacuum in Bihar, and Jan Suraaj will fill it in the next five years,” Kishor said.
Congress leader Pawan Khera also commented sharply, hoping Nitish faces no “dhoka” and completes his full term while finally delivering results “not seen in the last 20 years.”
As Nitish Kumar begins his tenth term, the spotlight now shifts from ceremony to governance. With a strong majority and heightened expectations, his challenge will be turning promises into tangible improvements for Bihar’s millions.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
