Tejashwi Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, extended congratulations to Nitish Kumar on his unprecedented 10th term as Chief Minister following the oath-taking ceremony today at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, a gesture that highlights political grace amid the Mahagathbandhan’s electoral setback. In a post on X, Yadav expressed heartfelt best wishes to all newly sworn-in ministers of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, underscoring a commitment to constructive engagement despite the opposition’s reduced tally of 40-54 seats against the NDA’s commanding 200+ mandate in the 243-member assembly.
Yadav’s Message of Hope and Accountability
Yadav’s statement emphasized the importance of the incoming administration living up to public aspirations, fulfilling electoral pledges, and effecting meaningful improvements in Bihar’s socio-economic fabric. “I hope the new government will meet the expectations of responsible citizens, honor its commitments, and introduce positive and qualitative changes in the lives of Bihar’s people,” he wrote, reflecting a focus on governance accountability and public welfare as priorities for the opposition in the coming term. This mature response comes shortly after the Mahagathbandhan’s campaign, led by Yadav’s emphasis on youth employment and development, yielded fewer seats than anticipated, prompting introspection within RJD circles while maintaining a forward-looking stance.
Context of the NDA Victory and Oath Ceremony
The oath-taking, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J.P. Nadda, and Chief Ministers from several states including Haryana’s Nayab Singh Saini, Assam’s Himanta Biswa Sarma, Nagaland’s Neiphiu Rio, Odisha’s Mohan Majhi, and Uttarakhand’s Pushkar Singh Dhami, celebrated the NDA’s decisive win, with Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha retaining their Deputy Chief Minister positions. The event at Gandhi Maidan—the historic site of Jai Prakash Narayan’s 1974 Total Revolution—symbolized Bihar’s evolution from anti-Congress upheaval to stable NDA governance, as noted by JD(U) leader KC Tyagi: “Bihar showed the path from here in 1974; Nitish Kumar continues it today.”
Implications for Bihar’s Political Landscape
Yadav’s outreach signals RJD’s intent to hold the government accountable on key issues like employment and social justice, even as the NDA advances its ‘Sushasan 2.0’ agenda. With 1.25 crore Jeevika Didis (beneficiaries of the ₹10,000 women’s scheme) in attendance and performances by Manoj Tiwari and Pawan Singh, the ceremony blended celebration with a call for inclusive progress. Bihar’s opposition remains vigilant, ensuring the new term delivers on promises for its 13 crore residents.
Forward Path: Governance and Opposition Dynamics
As Nitish Kumar’s 10th term begins—spanning 18+ years since his 2000 debut (7-day stint)—Yadav’s message underscores the need for qualitative change, positioning Mahagathbandhan as a constructive force for Bihar’s development amid NDA’s mandate.
