Nitish Kumar Resignation Live Upates: Nitish Kumar on Tuesday resigned as the Chief Minister of Bihar after he met the Governor at Lok Bhavan in Patna to formally submit his resignation. Earlier in the day, he recommended dissolution of his cabinet before meeting the Governor.
Nitish Kumar, now a Rajya Sabha member, chaired his last cabinet and informed his colleagues about his decision to dissolve the council of ministers, a constitutional requirement before rsubmitting the resignation as the Chief Minister to the governor.
During his address that lasted for about six minutes, Kumar spoke about the schemes he introduced and the work carried out under his leadership. "I came to power in 2005. As much as I could, I did my best. The new government will continue to receive my guidance," he said in his short address.
He arrived at the Lok Bhavan at around 3:15 pm and submitted his resignation to the Bihar Governor, paving way for BJP pick Samrat Choudhary for Bihar top job. His successor is likely to take oath tomorrow.
Here are the Live Updates on Nitish Kumar's resignation as Bihar Chief Minister
Samrat Choudhary To Take Oath As Bihar Chief Minister At 11 am Tomorrow
The oath-taking ceremony will be held at Lok Bhavan at 11 am tomorrow, where Samrat Choudhary will take oath as the new Chief Minister of Bihar.
Along with Samrat Choudhary, two Deputy Chief Ministers will also take oath. Only three leaders will be sworn in tomorrow.
From the JD(U) side, Vijay Choudhary and Bijendra Yadav will take oath as Deputy Chief Ministers. The expansion of the rest of the cabinet is likely after May 5.
The cabinet expansion in Bihar will take place after the West Bengal election results are announced.
Samrat Chaudhary Thanks BJP Leadership After Being Named Bihar Chief Minister
Newly-elected leader of the BJP Legislative party in Bihar, Samrat Chaudhary, who is set to take over as new Bihar Chief Minister, on Tuesday expressed his deep gratitude to the party's central leadership and described his new role as a "sacred opportunity" to serve the people of the state.
He also lauded the role of Nitish Kumar, saying he has taught a lot of things and that the Viksit Bharat vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that of prosperous Bihar by Nitish Kumar will make the state prosperous.
In a post on X, Choudhary said he would seek to fulfil the trust and dreams of the people of Bihar.
"I express my heartfelt gratitude to the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party for reposing their trust in me by assigning the responsibility of Leader of the BJP Bihar Legislative Party. This is not merely a position for me, but a sacred opportunity to serve the people of Bihar, to fulfill their trust and dreams. I pledge to live up to the expectations of one and all with complete dedication, commitment, and integrity," he said.
"Under the able leadership of the country's esteemed Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and the guidance of the honorable National President Shri @NitinNabin ji, I will remain continuously committed to taking Bihar to new heights of development, good governance, and prosperity. Your affection, blessings, and cooperation are my greatest strength. Jai Bihar, Jai Bharat!" he added.
Choudhary, who is the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister, also talked to reporters and said the BJP had given him several opportunities.
"In my life, the BJP gave me several opportunities to serve. I have been working as a political worker for about 30 years, but there was no ideology by my side earlier. I have worked for the BJP since 2015...I assure the PM, HM, party's national president, general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and party president Sanjay Saraogi that the ideology of the BJP - we will continue to take up the work of considering India before everything else and considering it the best, and prioritising the party," he said.
"Nitish Kumar taught a lot of things - how the govt is run, how good governance will be established in Bihar and what is good for democracy in Bihar...The vision of Viksit Bharat of PM Modi and that of prosperous Bihar by Nitish Kumar - together we will make Bihar prosperous and make the country developed," he added.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh said Nitish Kumar has given his "blessings to Samratji" and the BJP Legislative Party elected him as its leader.
Nitish Kumar, who has been elected to Rajya Sabha, resigned as Chief Minister earlier in the day marking a significant political transition in Bihar politics.
It is the first time that Bihar will have a BJP Chief Minister.
Development With Justice To Political Flip-Flops: Nitish Kumar Leaves Behind Mixed Legacy
Like all political leaders of considerable stature, Nitish Kumar, who resigned as Bihar chief minister on Tuesday, leaves behind a mixed legacy even though the JD(U) president may have loved to be remembered solely as the architect of modern Bihar who ensured "development with justice".
"Nyay ke saath vikas" is a slogan popularised by Kumar, now a Rajya Sabha MP, who had always been dependent upon the BJP for staying in power, but remained intent on underscoring his commitment to social justice and communal harmony.
Critics may, however, revel in pointing out that the product of Mandal agitation was handing over the state to the BJP in the only Hindi heartland state where the saffron party had so far not been able to head a government.
Moreover, amid speculations that Kumar's son Nishant, who recently joined the JD(U), could be inducted into the new government as a deputy CM, despite not yet being a member of the state legislature, the carefully crafted image of a politician who never gave in to the allure of "dynasty politics" gets unmistakably dented.
Nonetheless, the 75-year-old has many achievements to his credit, some of which date back to his stint as a Union minister in the cabinet of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is said to have counted on Kumar as one of his most competent cabinet colleagues.
Vajpayee played an instrumental role in projecting him as the "face of the NDA" while the BJP-led coalition was trying to upstage the formidable RJD, headed by Lalu Prasad, from Bihar.
Remembered as one of the best parliamentarians of his time, Kumar is said to have taken a keen interest in the modernisation of railways while he held the crucial portfolio.
Upon taking over as the chief minister in 2005, the proud Bihari set himself the task of transforming his home state's image of a lawless basket case, and his first five years in power are acknowledged by even his most vehement critics as having brought a whiff of fresh air.
A hard-nosed politician, Kumar had no qualms in rubbing shoulders with mafia dons like Anant Kumar Singh, the Mokama MLA, while, paradoxically, empowering the police to establish the rule of law.
Populism always remained a cornerstone of the politics of Kumar, whose tenure in power may well be remembered for schemes like free bicycles and uniforms to school girls, introduced early in his rule.
Schemes, such as 125 units of free power and waiver of fee levied on competitive examination forms, were offered towards the end of his innings, when the going had appeared to be tough.
Perhaps the most daring, yet controversial, of Kumar's steps was his decision to clamp complete prohibition in the state.
The ban on liquor, which has allegedly led to a parallel industry, with alcohol being clandestinely delivered to homes of those who could afford it, had followed his promise to the state's women ahead of the assembly polls of 2015 when he pulled off a surprise, defeating old ally BJP hands down while aligning with arch rival Lalu Prasad.
The last one decade of Kumar's active political life may well be remembered for his numerous flip-flops. The JD(U) supremo, who now stands accused of "capitulation" before the BJP, was, ironically, a key architect of the INDIA bloc.
Buried under his impressive sounding record of having been sworn in as chief minister for 10 times is the fact that on many occasions, he gave up the post only to return within a day, sometimes even after a few hours, armed with the support of a new coalition.
Erratic behaviour in public, apparently caused by age-related infirmities that have not been disclosed, earned him much lampooning, often in bad taste, from the opposition.
Nonetheless, the constituency that he built for himself, comprising his own caste brethren, the Kurmis, besides the "ati pichhda" (extremely backwards) and the "Maha Dalits", the weakest sections of the OBCs and the SCs respectively, had made him indispensable for whichever formation aimed to enjoy power in Bihar.
A reason why Prasad, who has been deriding the JD(U) chief with the epithet of "paltu ram" (turncoat), could not refuse a tie-up whenever Kumar approached him with an offer, only to dump him and return to the NDA when it suited him.
Similarly, the BJP, which has been outperforming JD(U) in election after election and has been nursing a grouse over his many public outbursts against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has long remained content with projecting him as the NDA's face and even now says that the new government will continue to seek the "guidance of Nitish Kumar".
BJP Leaders Reach Lok Bhavan To Stake Claim For Government Formation
After attending the NDA legislature party meeting, Nitish Kumar reached his residence.
BJP leaders Vinod Tawde, Shivraj Singh, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Nityanand Rai have reached the Lok Bhavan.
The leaders will stake claim to form the government in Bihar. The oath ceremony will take place tomorrow.
Nitish Kumar Leaves To Attend NDA Legislature Party Meet
Nitish Kumar has left to attend the NDA legislature party meeting. The meeting will be held in the Central Hall of the Assembly.
Nitish Kumar, Bihar Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary: Do You Accept?: Nitish Kumar's Question To Colleagues At Last Cabinet Meet
Samrat Choudhary is likely to take the oath tomorrow as the next Chief Minister of Bihar
"One Chapter Has Concluded": JDU's Sanjat Jha After Nitish Kumar Resigns As Bihar Chief Minister
"Will Fulfil Dream Of Developed Bihar": Samrat Choudhary's first Remarks After Being Named Chief Minister
Samrat Choudhary Named BJP's 1st Bihar Chief Minister
Samrat Choudhary has been named as new Chief Minister of Bihar after Nitish Kumar resigned. He will take oath as BJP's first Chief Minister tomorrow.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha proposed the name of Samrat Choudhary as the Chief Minister. Samrat Choudhary has been elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party.
After Karpoori Thakur, he will be the first leader to have served as both Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister.
"New Bihar Government Will Have My Guidance": Nitish Kumar After Resignation
Nitish Kumar Submits Resignation To Bihar Governor
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation to the Governor and left the Lok Bhavan. The NDA legislature party meeting is scheduled to take place at 4 pm.
Nitish Kumar Reaches Lok Bhavan To Submit His Resignation
BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Samrat Choudhary have left the Chief Minister's residence. They left after meeting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has arrived at Lok Bhavan, where he will submit his resignation to the Governor.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan In Patna To Oversee Election Of BJP Legislative Party Leader
The process of government formation in Bihar has gathered momentum following the dissolution of the cabinet led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday.
Top BJP leaders, including Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Vinod Tawde, and B.L. Santhosh, arrived in Patna to oversee the crucial developments.
They were warmly received by party workers at the airport, signalling the significance of the day's political proceedings.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed Shivraj Singh Chouhan as the central observer for the election of the legislative party leader in Bihar.
A key meeting of the BJP legislative party is scheduled at the party office. During this meeting, the BJP legislative party will elect its leader -- effectively deciding who will become the next Chief Minister of the state.
Following the legislative party meeting, Shivraj Singh Chouhan is expected to formally announce the name of Bihar's next Chief Minister.
Subsequently, the NDA legislative party meeting will further formalise the decision.
According to sources, clarity on the name of the Chief Minister is likely to be announced by around 5.00 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (United) had initially scheduled its legislative party meeting for 12.30 p.m. However, reports indicated that the meeting had been cancelled.
This development places the responsibility squarely on the BJP to decide the next Chief Minister, underscoring a significant shift in the state's political dynamics.
With senior leadership present and crucial meetings lined up, all eyes are now on the BJP as it prepares to finalise its candidate.
The outcome will not only determine the next leader of Bihar but also shape the state's political direction in the coming months.
Earlier, Nitish Kumar chaired the last meeting of the Cabinet at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Patna, and informed his cabinet colleagues of stepping down from the post of the Chief Minister. He has also recommended the dissolution of the current cabinet of the Bihar government.
Nitish Kumar To Leave For Lok Bhavan To Submit His Resignation
In a short while, Nitish Kumar will leave for Lok Bhavan where he will submit his resignation to the Governor.
BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Union Minister Shivraj Singh and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary reach the Chief Minister's residence.
Responsibility Of Taking Bihar Forward On You: Nitish Kumar's Last Cabinet Meet Message
In his last cabinet meeting, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressed his colleagues with a message that blended responsibility with resolve, urging them to continue working with greater dedication for the development of the state.
"You are already working diligently, but now strive to do even better. The responsibility of taking Bihar forward rests upon all of you," he said -- words that are now being widely interpreted as a guiding directive for the future leadership -- during the 20-minute cabinet meet.
Reflecting on the journey so far, the Chief Minister acknowledged the collective efforts that had contributed to Bihar's progress over the years.
He emphasised that the foundation laid through years of governance must now be strengthened further to elevate the state to new heights of development.
The most emotional moment came when Nitish Kumar remarked, "This is a deeply emotional moment. I am now heading to Delhi, but I will continue to keep a watchful eye on everything from there."
The statement carried both reassurance and symbolism -- suggesting that while he may be stepping away from the state's day-to-day political helm, his engagement with Bihar's affairs will endure.
He further reassured his ministers of his continued support and affection.
"My love and affection for all of you will endure forever," he said, expressing gratitude to his colleagues.
The atmosphere in the room turned solemn, with several ministers visibly overwhelmed, underscoring the emotional weight of the moment.
Political observers view this meeting as more than a procedural closure -- it stands as a symbolic transition, marking the end of a significant chapter in Bihar's political history.
Under Nitish Kumar's leadership, the state witnessed notable progress across multiple sectors.
As a new phase begins, the onus now lies on the incoming leadership to sustain this momentum and build upon the legacy he leaves behind.
This final cabinet meeting made one thing unmistakably clear: even as Nitish Kumar steps away from office, his enduring bond with Bihar and his commitment to its development remain firmly intact.
"Emotional Moment For 140 Million People Of Bihar": Sanjay Jha On Nitish Kumar's Resignation
Janta Dal (United) National Working President and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Tuesday said that it was the last Cabinet meeting of the outgoing chief minister Nitish Kumar in which he addressed all Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
The outgoing CM Nitish Kumar today chaired the State Cabinet meeting at the Old Secretariat. Jha added that Nitish Kumar will meet the Governor today.
Speaking to reporters following the Cabinet meeting, Sanjay Jha said, "It was the last Cabinet meeting, in which the CM addressed all MLAs. He said it was his last Cabinet meeting as the CM. He said after the Cabinet meeting, he will go and meet the Governor."
Asserting that the present government and future administrations will continue to function under Nitish Kumar's guidance, he called it an "emotional moment" for the people of the state.
Speaking to reporters on the political developments in the state, Jha said the transformation of the state under Nitish Kumar had restored pride among its people. "This is an emotional moment for the 140 million people of Bihar. We always say that we felt ashamed to say we are Bihari before Nitish ji's arrival, and after his arrival, Bihar's respect and prestige remained intact," he said.
Furthermore, Bihar Minister Ramkripal Yadav said that Nitish Kumar had done a lot for the state and this was an emotional moment for all.
"The CM expressed gratitude towards the members of the Cabinet and the public. It was an emotional moment where he expressed his emotions. Everyone is emotional today. All that Nitish Kumar ji has done for the state no one else has done...Everyone was emotional today..." he told reporters.
State Minister Leshi Singh said, "It is both an emotional and proud moment today. We have been with him (Nitish Kumar) since 1995."
The remarks come as political developments in Bihar have gained pace over leadership dynamics as the NDA will meet today at 4 pm in the Central Hall of the Bihar Legislative Assembly to chose Nitish's successor.
Samrat Choudhary Leads Probables' List In Bihar Chief Ministerial Race
Nitish Kumar, now a Rajya Sabha member, is set to resign today as Bihar Chief Minister, clearing the way for a new leader at the helm, likely from the BJP, its ally both at the state and Centre.
Oath-Taking Of New Government In Bihar To Take Place Tomorrow
The oath-taking ceremony will be held on Wednesday at 11 am at Lok Bhavan.
Apart from the Chief Minister, a Deputy Chief Minister from the JD(U) quota may also take oath.
Earlier, there was a proposal to hold the oath-taking ceremony at Gandhi Maidan, but it will now be organised at Lok Bhavan instead.
