Nitish Kumar to Take Oath as Rajya Sabha Member on April 10
Nitish Kumar's Upcoming Oath Ceremony
On April 10, Nitish Kumar, the leader of the Janata Dal (United) and Chief Minister of Bihar, will take his oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha. Sources revealed that other members will also be sworn in on the same day. Kumar is scheduled to depart for Delhi on April 9. It is anticipated that a new government will be formed in Bihar after April 14. Reports indicate that he will return to Patna either on the evening of April 10 or the morning of April 11, after which he may resign from his position as Chief Minister.
Security Arrangements for Nitish Kumar
Close associates of Nitish Kumar have recently indicated that constitutional provisions allow an individual to remain in the Chief Minister's position for up to six months, even if they are no longer a member of the assembly or council. However, this scenario does not seem likely at present. Earlier in the day, the Bihar Home Department issued an order stating that Kumar will continue to receive 'Z Plus' category security even after stepping down as Chief Minister. The order from the Special Branch confirmed that his security will remain intact upon assuming his role as a Rajya Sabha member.
Details of the Security Protocol
This security arrangement is multi-layered, involving approximately 55 personnel, including personal security officers (PSOs), armed guards, escort vehicles, and round-the-clock surveillance. It is important to note that Nitish Kumar was elected to the Rajya Sabha on March 16 and subsequently resigned from the Bihar Legislative Council on March 30. His entry into the upper house is seen as a significant political shift in the state.