Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar Chief Minister for 4th time

PATNA: Senior JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the chief minister of Bihar, marking his return for the fourth time in the state’s most coveted political office.

Interestingly, Kumar even reached out for PM Narendra Modi and said that both the centre and state government will have to work in tandem for promoting the cause of development.

“The Prime minister congratulated me on my taking over as the CM. I thank him for the gesture , and my effort will be to seek cooperation of the centre so that the state forged mightily ahead on the path of development” Kumar told reporters after the swearing in function .

Kumar was administered the oath of office and secrecy at the Raj Bhawan by the Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.

Along with Kumar , 22 ministers also took the oath though nearly 13 more ministers could have been inducted . The newly sworn 22 ministers were rewarded for their loyalty, they were all part of the Manjhi government but 20 of them quit to while two had sacked by Manjhi.

The swearing in ceremony saw the presence of the former PM H D Deve Gowda West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjeee , her Assam counterpart Tarun Gagoi , former Jharkhand chief minister Babu Lal Marandi , SP leader Shivpal Yadav , Dushyant Chautala of the INLD, besides several other leaders . The turn out of so many leaders will be seen as a big boost to Kumar who is championing the cause of forging a unity among secular outfits to take on the resurgent BJP.