Nitish Kumar’s Shortest CM Term: The Real Reason Behind the 7-Day Exit

Nitish Kumar is set to take the oath as Bihar's Chief Minister for the 10th time. This event marks a significant milestone in his political journey, which began with a brief tenure in 2000. The swearing-in ceremony will occur at Patna's Gandhi Maidan at 11:30 am. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislature party unanimously elected him as their leader on Wednesday.

The NDA achieved a decisive victory in the recent Bihar legislative assembly elections, winning 202 out of 243 seats. This contrasts sharply with Nitish Kumar's first stint as Chief Minister in 2000, which lasted only about a week due to a fractured mandate. At that time, the BJP-Samata Party-led NDA secured 122 seats, falling short of the majority mark.

Nitish Kumar's Political Journey

In February 2000, despite not having a clear majority, Nitish Kumar was invited by Governor Vinod Chandra Pande to form the government. Backed by 151 NDA and allied MLAs, he was sworn in on March 3, 2000. However, intense political maneuvering ensued as both camps tried to secure more MLAs. Ultimately, his government collapsed on March 11.

Thursday's ceremony signifies a full circle for Nitish Kumar. From struggling to maintain power for even a week in his early days, he now returns with strong support from the NDA alliance. His upcoming term is framed as an extension of the development-focused governance model initiated in 2006.

Development-Centric Governance

Nitish Kumar aims to accelerate this governance model with central support during his new term. With familiar governing partners and overwhelming majority backing him, he carries both his political legacy and the expectations of Bihar's people into this new chapter.

The Vajpayee government at the Centre had supported Nitish Kumar's appointment back in 2000, with key figures like LK Advani and George Fernandes playing crucial roles. Despite this support, RJD protested sharply against his appointment due to their numerical advantage.

As Nitish Kumar prepares for another term as Chief Minister, he reflects on his long political career spanning over two decades. He has led Bihar multiple times and continues to hold significant influence within the state's political landscape.

This new term represents not just continuity but also an opportunity for further progress under Nitish Kumar's leadership. The people of Bihar look forward to seeing how he will address their needs and aspirations while building upon past achievements.