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Nitish Kumar returns as Bihar CM for 7th time in 20 years

Last updated on: November 16, 2020 20:53 IST

Nitish Kumar was on Monday sworn in as the chief minister of Bihar for the seventh time in two decades, in presence of top leaders of the National Democratic Alliance including Union Home minister Amit Shah and Bharatiya Janata Party national president Jagat Prakash Nadda.

IMAGE: Janta Dal-United National President Nitish Kumar takes oath as the chief minister of Bihar at Raj Bhawan in Patna. Photograph: PTI Photo

Kumar, who heads the Janata Dal-United, was administered the oath of office at Raj Bhavan by Governor Phagu Chauhan, a day after he staked claim for the formation of a new government in the state, armed with unanimous support of all legislators of the NDA despite his party's plummeted tally.

The 69-year-old, who has had a continuous run since November, 2005, except for the period in 2014-15 when Jitan Ram Manjhi kept the chair warm for him, is on course to becoming the longest serving chief minister of the state, surpassing the record of Shrikrishna Singh who held the top post since before Independence till his death in 1961.

Kumar was first sworn in as CM in 2000, for a term that lasted barely a week as he failed to muster a majority and returned as a minister at the Centre in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

IMAGE: Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan administers the oath of office to Janta Dal-United president Nitish Kumar as Bihar Chief Minister at Raj Bhawan in Patna. Photograph: PTI Photo

Five years later, he returned with the JD-U-BJP alliance winning a majority and upon completion of his tenure returned in 2010 when the coalition won a landslide victory in the assembly polls.

He stepped down in May, 2014, owning moral responsibility for the JD-U's debacle in Lok Sabha polls, only to return in February, 2015 when a rebellious Manjhi was elbowed out.

In November, 2015, the assembly polls were fought and won by the Grand Alliance which then comprised JD-U, Lalu Prasad's RJD and Congress with Kumar back as the chief minister.

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah greets Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after the oath-taking ceremony at Raj Bhawan in Patna. Photograph: PTI Photo

He, however, abruptly exited the alliance in July, 2017, citing irreconcilable differences with the RJD and resigned as the chief minister only to return in less than 24 hours armed with the support of the BJP.

After taking oath, the chief minister said, "Based on the public's decision, NDA has once again formed the government in the state. We will work together and serve the people".

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda being welcomed by party supporters on their arrival at Jaiprakash Narayan Airport to attend the swearing-in-ceremony of the NDA government in Bihar state, in Patna. Photograph: PTI Photo

On Sushil Modi not returning as his deputy, Kumar said, "It is the decision of the BJP to not field Sushil Modi as the Deputy chief minister. They should be asked about this."

-- With inputs from ANI

BIHAR 2020