‘Swearing-In on November 18’: Tejashwi declares, confident of forming govt in Bihar

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and INDIA bloc Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday asserted that the opposition alliance was confident of forming the next government in Bihar. He announced that the swearing-in ceremony would be held on November 18, four days after the assembly election results were declared on November 14.

Addressing reporters in Patna, Yadav said, “On November 14, the results of the Bihar assembly polls will be declared, and on November 18, the swearing-in will take place.”

RJD leader and INDIA bloc CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav reacted to the arrest of former MLA Anant Singh, the JD(U) candidate from Mokama, saying, “It was bound to happen. Such a serious incident had taken place.” Singh was arrested for his alleged role in the killing of Dular Chand Yadav, a 75-year-old supporter of Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, who died in firing between rival groups on October 30.

Known as a “Bahubali” leader with a criminal past, Anant Singh’s arrest just days before polling has political implications for the JD(U). Police said Singh and two aides were booked after evidence and eyewitness accounts linked them to the violence. The SSP assured that polls in Patna district will be peaceful.The incident has raised concerns over law and order and the criminalisation of politics in Bihar, as parties trade accusations ahead of the elections.

Criticising the state government over law and order, the RJD leader remarked, “Yesterday, the Prime Minister visited Bihar. He should take note of the situation in the state where not a day passes without some heinous crime taking place. But this will change as soon as the Mahagathbandhan, the name by which the INDIA bloc is known in Bihar, forms the government.”

Yadav further assured that, if elected, his government would take stringent action against criminals. “Between November 26 and January 26, which includes the month-long kharmaas period, all criminals, irrespective of their caste and religion, will be in jail and face the strictest possible action,” he said.

Reacting to Yadav’s announcement, BJP leader and former Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy mocked the RJD leader’s confidence. “So, he has made such an announcement. But I have learnt he has purchased tickets for a vacation abroad, knowing that the people of Bihar are still reposing their trust in Nitish Kumar. If it is true, he should plan his tour early and get some rest,” Rudy said.

The Mahagathbandhan, comprising the RJD, Congress, and Left parties, serves as the Bihar chapter of the INDIA bloc, a national coalition of opposition parties formed to challenge the BJP-led NDA. Tejashwi Yadav, who has previously served as Deputy Chief Minister, is leading the alliance’s campaign for the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections as its Chief Ministerial face.