Patna: JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar returned on Sunday as Chief Minister of Bihar, taking the oath for the fourth time and ending a month-long political drama following a bitter power struggle in the state with Jitan Ram Manjhi, who he had installed as CM a few months back.

Mr Kumar was sworn in by Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi at a glittering function at the Patna Raj Bhavan along with 22 legislators who earlier served as ministers in his Cabinet. Bihar is due to hold Assembly polls later this year.

Of the 22 ministers, 20 had quit the Manjhi Cabinet as a show of solidarity with Mr Kumar, while two ministers had been sacked by the former CM. As speculated, the RJD and Congress, while extending support to the new CM, decided not to join his government. Nitish Kumar was earlier said to have offered them Cabinet berth, but leaders of both parties turned this down, saying they would continue to give outside support to his government.

“I expect Nitish Kumar to deliver as he had been doing, he will have the full support from our party”, senior Congress leader Motilal Vora said in Patna on Sunday. Shortly after taking the oath, Mr Kumar thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he will co-operate with the Centre.