PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday met Governor Arif Mohammad Khan following the cabinet’s decision to recommend the dissolution of the current legislative assembly. The move comes after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a decisive victory in the recently concluded state elections, winning 202 out of 243 assembly seats.

According to Janata Dal (United) minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, the cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Kumar, unanimously passed a resolution recommending dissolution of the assembly. “The meeting lasted for 10 minutes. The chief minister met Governor Arif Mohammad Khan soon after to apprise him about the cabinet’s decision. On November 19, Kumar will submit his resignation to the Governor as head of the outgoing government,” Choudhary said.

The cabinet meeting also passed two other resolutions: one to thank officials and employees for ensuring the peaceful and successful conduct of elections, and another to congratulate the chief minister for leading the NDA to a strong electoral mandate.

Preparations for Swearing-In Ceremony

Preparations are underway for the swearing-in ceremony of the new government on November 20 at Gandhi Maidan. JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha described the event as a “big celebration” reflecting the NDA’s sweeping victory and the challenge of delivering next-generation development in Bihar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior central BJP leaders are expected to attend the function.

Cabinet Formation and Seat Allocation

Senior NDA leaders have indicated that the broad structure of the new cabinet has been largely decided, taking into account the number of legislators each alliance constituent has won. Coalition partners, including the BJP, JD(U), Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) [HAM(S)], will receive ministerial berths roughly proportional to their electoral strength, with one ministerial post allocated for approximately every six MLAs.

Vijay Kumar Choudhary emphasized that it is the chief minister’s prerogative to decide the composition of the cabinet. “In a coalition, all parties have expressed their desire to be part of the cabinet. Bigger parties will get more berths. NDA has a long history of running coalitions, and that is not an issue,” he said.

According to coalition sources, one ministerial berth each will likely go to RLM and HAM(S), three to LJP(RV), and the remaining 30–31 posts will be divided between BJP and JD(U), though adjustments may be made. Changes to the two deputy chief minister posts are also being considered.

Constitutional Limits and Assembly Term

Bihar’s assembly has 243 seats, and under constitutional provisions, the cabinet can have up to 15% of the assembly’s strength, which allows a maximum of 36 ministers including the chief minister. The NDA, having won 202 seats, commands a clear majority, with the BJP securing 89 seats, JD(U) 85, LJP(RV) 19, HAM(S) 5, and RLM 4.

The current Bihar assembly’s term ends on November 22, and the 18th assembly is expected to be constituted on or before that date. The chief electoral officer, Vinod Singh Gunjiyal, handed over the list of the 243 newly elected members to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Sunday, initiating the formal process for the new assembly.

According to senior BJP sources, legislative party meetings of the respective NDA constituents are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, followed by a joint NDA meeting to elect the alliance leader. The entire process is expected to be completed ahead of schedule, by November 21, allowing the new government to take office promptly.

This orderly transition underscores the NDA’s preparedness to commence governance immediately, leveraging the massive mandate it received in the elections to implement its policy agenda in Bihar.