Nitish Kumar will be sworn in as Bihar chief minister at 2 pm today at Patna's massive public ground, the Gandhi Maidan. CM designate Nitish Kumar will be sworn in for the fifth term in office (the third consecutive term) in the presence of a number of national leaders and regional satraps opposed to the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.


His confirmed guest list is a massive show of strength by parties and political leaders who oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP.


West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has reached Patna, one of the the first VVIPs to reach the state capital. "Mamata Banerjee is staying at the posh Mauyra Hotel close to the venue instead of the state guest house," an official said.


Others who arrived for this mega show are Rashtriya Lok Dal president Ajit Singh, DMK chief Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin, former union minister TR Balu, Kerala's agriculture minister KPM Ohanan, RPI leader Prakash Ambedkar (the grandson of BR Ambedkar), Indian National Lok Dal leader Abhay Chauthala. Then there are JD-U president Sharad Yadav, Congress leader Rita Bahuguna, who have also reached Patna. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, former PM HD Deve Gowda, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will reach Patna later in the day. All of them have been staying at the state guest house, officials said.


Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference, Left leader Sitaram Yechury will attend the event as will Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik.


Nitish Kumar was declared the chief ministerial candidate by the Grand Alliance before the campaign of the Bihar assembly polls started in  September. RJD chief Lalu Prasad has termed him as the dulha (bridegroom) of the Grand Alliance.


-- MI Khan/Patna