The process of forming the new government in Bihar is set to accelerate starting today, with the swearing-in ceremony of the incoming administration tentatively scheduled for November 19 or 20, depending on the final confirmation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's schedule.
Extensive preparations are already in full swing at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna, where the event is expected to attract large crowds, and high-profile attendees are anticipated, including PM Modi himself along with chief ministers from various BJP-ruled states, highlighting the national importance of the NDA's victory.
Today marks a key procedural step as the Election Commission of India will officially submit the certified results of the 18th Bihar Legislative Assembly elections to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Raj Bhavan. Upon receiving the results, the Governor's office will issue the formal notification constituting the new 18th Assembly, which will also lift the Model Code of Conduct that has been in place since the election schedule was announced, thereby allowing unrestricted political activities and government formation discussions.
In a related development, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has called a cabinet meeting for Monday, November 17, primarily to obtain approval for dissolving the outgoing 17th Bihar Legislative Assembly, a routine constitutional measure to clear the path for the new term. Following the meeting, Nitish Kumar is expected to visit the Raj Bhavan and formally submit his resignation to the Governor, bringing the current NDA government's tenure to an end and facilitating a seamless transition.
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Once the resignation is accepted, the National Democratic Alliance's constituent parties will promptly convene their respective legislature party meetings to elect the alliance's leader, who will then stake claim before the Governor to form the next government. The NDA's route to power remains unhindered, supported by a solid majority in the 243-member House, with smooth post-poll coordination among allies showing no signs of strain despite the near-parity in seats between the two main partners.
The 2025 election results underscore the NDA's overwhelming dominance, with the Bharatiya Janata Party emerging as the single largest party by securing 89 seats, closely followed by Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) with 85 seats. Smaller allies contributed meaningfully, including the Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) with 19 seats, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) with 5 seats, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha with 4 seats, ensuring a stable and diverse coalition for the next five years.
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In stark contrast, the opposition Mahagathbandhan was decimated, managing only 35 seats in total, a far cry from its competitive performance in the 2020 elections when it posed a serious threat across the state. This time, the alliance disintegrated under the weight of internal conflicts, strategic errors, and failure to connect with voters on key issues like jobs, migration, and development, which were effectively countered by the NDA's emphasis on stability and governance under Nitish Kumar.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal, despite high expectations built on its core Muslim-Yadav base and youth-focused promises under Tejashwi Yadav, delivered a disappointing showing that failed to challenge the NDA's narrative. The Indian National Congress suffered an even more precipitous decline, winning just 6 seats with a vote share of 8.71 per cent—slightly down from 2020—due to organisational disarray, flawed candidate selection lacking local appeal, and ineffective vote transfers within the alliance. Other Mahagathbandhan components, including Left parties, added little to the opposition's tally.
As Bihar enters this new political phase, attention will turn to the NDA's agenda, encompassing infrastructure, flood control, and employment initiatives. With Prime Minister Modi's probable attendance at the oath-taking ceremony, the occasion will serve as a powerful endorsement of the "double-engine" growth model, reinforcing Nitish Kumar's stature while expanding the BJP's influence in eastern India in the run-up to future national elections.
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