Bihar set for new govt formation as swearing-in likely on Nov 19 or 20 at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan

Bihar’s government formation is poised to accelerate from today, with the swearing-in ceremony for the new administration likely to be held on November 19 or 20 at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan.

The final date will hinge on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schedule, officials said, as preparations at the venue intensify. Senior BJP chief ministers are also expected to attend.

The Election Commission is slated to hand over the official results of the 18th Bihar Assembly elections to Governor Rajendra Arlekar today, clearing the way for the notification constituting the new Assembly and formally lifting the Model Code of Conduct.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has convened a cabinet meeting on Monday to approve the dissolution of the outgoing 17th Assembly. He is then expected to visit Raj Bhavan to tender his resignation, setting in motion the final steps for a political transition.

Once Nitish steps down, NDA constituents will hold separate legislature party meetings to elect their respective leaders. The alliance’s chosen nominee will subsequently stake claim before the Governor to form the next government.

The NDA enters this phase with a decisive mandate. The BJP has emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, followed closely by the Janata Dal (United) at 85. Smaller allies—LJP (Ramvilas) with 19 seats, HAM (Secular) with 5, and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha with 4—have further strengthened the bloc. The opposition, meanwhile, has suffered a rout: the Mahagathbandhan secured just 35 seats.

The 2025 verdict marks a stark reversal from the 2020 election, when the Mahagathbandhan put up a strong fight. This time, the alliance collapsed under organisational weaknesses and poor candidate selection. The Congress, in particular, endured a steep slide, winning only six seats despite an 8.71% vote share—barely lower than 2020, but ineffective on the ground.

Bihar now awaits the NDA’s next leadership choice—setting the stage for a new political chapter to begin within days.