Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrived in Delhi on Thursday and is scheduled to take oath as a Rajya Sabha MP on Friday. He is expected to return to Patna the same evening and resign as Chief Minister shortly after, setting the stage for a leadership transition in Bihar.
The formation of the new government is likely to follow soon after the end of 'Khadmas', a period considered inauspicious, with key developments expected around April 14 or 15.
New government process to begin soon
Sanjay Kumar Jha, working president of the Janata Dal (United), confirmed the timeline, stating that the process to form the next government will "start from April 14".
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Kumar's resignation is expected to formally pave the way for the announcement of a new chief minister and Cabinet.
A senior party functionary indicated that discussions around the transition are already underway, with meetings expected between Kumar and senior BJP leaders in Delhi, reported Hindustan Times. The BJP has also called a meeting of its core committee members from Bihar to deliberate on the next steps.
Shift to Delhi residence underway
As part of his transition to a more active role in national politics, Kumar is likely to be allotted a high-security Type-8 government bungalow in Lutyens' Delhi. Renovation work is currently ongoing at multiple residences in the Sunehri Bagh area.
Until the allotment is finalised, he will continue to stay at the Bihar Chief Minister's official residence in New Delhi.
Type-8 bungalows are among the most spacious government accommodations in the capital, designed for top political leaders. Spread across large plots, they include multiple bedrooms, reception areas and advanced security systems.
Several senior leaders, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Rahul Gandhi, reside in similar housing.
Focus on continuity and new faces
Back in Patna, preparations are underway for the formation of a new government, which is expected to include fresh faces. Among those being discussed is Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar.
Bihar minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said Kumar would step down after returning from Delhi, adding, "The new government will also run on the Nitish model of development with justice. What he has done in the last 20 years in different spheres to transform Bihar is unparalleled and that is the reason his popularity has only grown with time and the new government will take his work forward as Nitish legacy is NDA's strength as well as inspiration."
The coming days are expected to be crucial as Bihar prepares for a leadership change and a new political phase.
