Nitish Kumar Likely To Meet NDA MLAs On April 13 Before Resigning, New CM’s Oath Taking Soon

Nitish Kumar, who is expected to return from Delhi on April 11, is likely to resign as chief minister on April 14

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar | File Image

Political activity has intensified in Bihar as preparations gather pace for a change of leadership, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expected to meet legislators of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on April 13, ahead of tendering his resignation a day later.

Sources said the final cabinet meeting of Nitish Kumar’s tenure is likely to be held on April 13.

The NDA has asked all its MLAs to be present in Patna from the evening of April 11. Similar instructions have been issued by alliance partners, including the BJP, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.

Nitish Kumar, who is expected to return from Delhi on April 11, is likely to resign as chief minister on April 14, marking the end of his active role in Bihar’s day-to-day governance.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new chief minister is tentatively scheduled for April 15 and is expected to be held at Gandhi Maidan.

Earlier, Nitish Kumar resigned from the Bihar Legislative Council and is set to take oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha on April 10.

He is scheduled to attend the JD(U) national executive meeting in Delhi on April 9, after being re-elected as party president last month for a three-year term.

Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan will administer the Rajya Sabha oath to newly elected and re-elected members.

With this, Nitish Kumar will achieve the rare distinction of having been a member of all four legislative bodies, the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, while continuing as JD(U) president.

New Leadership Awaited

There has been no official announcement on Nitish Kumar’s successor so far, though several names are being discussed.

The BJP’s central leadership is expected to finalise the next chief minister around the time of the NDA meeting.

The chosen leader will be elected as head of the NDA legislature party and will be present at the alliance meeting.

“The central leadership of the BJP and the NDA will decide the leader. Nitish Kumar will also be part of the process,” Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi said.

Meanwhile, sources indicated that Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar, who joined the JD(U) on March 8, is expected to be inducted as a deputy chief minister in the new government, though no formal confirmation has been made yet.

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