Bihar, a state rich in culture and history, has been led by a diverse range of Chief Ministers since India’s independence in 1947. From the early Congress governments that oversaw the state’s formation to the recent multi-party coalitions, Bihar’s political landscape has been shaped by these leaders. This blog will explore the tenures of each Chief Minister.
Key eras and milestones in Bihar’s leadership
- Early Years: Foundation for Progress (1947-1967)
- Sri Krishna Sinha (1946-1961): Bihar’s first Chief Minister oversaw significant developments, including the abolition of the Zamindari system and the construction of major dams and industrial projects.
- Deep Narayan Singh (1961): His brief tenure focused on maintaining stability.
- Binodanand Jha (1961-1963): Prioritized agricultural reforms and rural development.
- K.B. Sahay (1963-1967): Known for his administrative efficiency and efforts towards social upliftment.
- Political Volatility: Challenges and Change (1967-1990)
- This period saw numerous and short-lived governments, marked by instability and shifting alliances. Key figures included Mahamaya Prasad Sinha, B.P. Mandal, Daroga Prasad Rai, and Jagannath Mishra.
- The Rise of Regional Voices (1990-2005)
- Lalu Prasad Yadav (1990-1997): A transformative figure for Bihar, known for championing social justice and empowering marginalized groups.
- Rabri Devi (1997-2005): Entered the political arena following her husband’s (Lalu Prasad Yadav) implication in corruption cases, facing the challenges of maintaining governance.
- The Nitish Kumar Era: Stability and Development (2005 – Present)
- Nitish Kumar: Ushered in a period of relative stability, with a focus on infrastructure development, improving law and order, and prioritizing education and healthcare. He currently holds the distinction of serving as Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister.
Notable Contributions of Bihar’s Chief Ministers
- Industrial and Agricultural Development: Leaders focused on establishing industries and modernizing agricultural practices.
- Infrastructure: Emphasis on roads, bridges, power plants, and irrigation projects.
- Social Justice Initiatives: Several Chief Ministers have worked towards the upliftment of marginalized communities and implemented welfare schemes.
- Efforts to Improve Law and Order: Tackling crime and restoring a sense of security have been priorities for many Chief Ministers.
Bihar CMs List After Independence
| Chief Minister | Party | Term Start | Term End | Constituency |
| Maurice Hudson | Congress | 1946-03-15 | 1950-02-06 | Patna (Sadar) |
| S.K. Sinha | Congress | 1950-02-06 | 1952-03-12 | Patna |
| B.N. Jha | Congress | 1952-03-12 | 1959-02-25 | Monghyr |
| Deep Narayan Singh | Congress | 1959-02-25 | 1961-03-09 | Darbhanga |
| K.B. Sahay | Congress | 1961-03-09 | 1967-03-16 | Siwan |
| B.P. Mandal | Congress | 1967-03-16 | 1968-06-28 | Madhepura |
| President Ruling | – | 1968-06-29 | 1969-02 11 | – |
| Harihar Singh | Congress (R) | 1969-02-12 | 1969-06-22 | Darbhanga |
| Bhola Paswan Shastri | Congress | 1969-06-23 | 1969-07-04 | Vaishali |
| President Ruling | – | 1969-07-05 | 1970 -02-16 | – |
| Daroga Prasad Rai | congress | 1970-02-17 | 1970-12-22 | Parsa |
| Karpoori Thakur | Socialist Party | 1970-12-23 | 1971-06-02 | Samastipur |
| Bhola Paswan Shastri | congress | 1971-06-02 | 1972-01-12 | Korha |
| President Ruling | – | 1972-01-13 | 1972-03-17 | – |
| Kedar Pandey | Congress | 1972-03-18 | 1973-07-16 | Nautan |
| Abdul Ghafoor | congress | 1973-07-17 | 1975-06-13 | N/A |
| Jagannath Mishra | Congress | 1975-06-12 | 1977-04-13 | Jhanjharpur |
| President Ruling | – | 1977-04-14 | 1977-06-16 | – |
| Abdul Ghafoor | Congress | 1976-01-29 | 1977-06-21 | Kishanganj |
| Karpoori Thakur | BLD | 1977-06-22 | 1980-02-17 | Samastipur |
| President Ruling | – | 1980-02-18 | 1980-06-08 | – |
| Russel M. Choudhary | Congress (I) | 1980-06-09 | 1982-07-19 | Madhubani |
| Jagdeep Singh Gill | Congress | 1982-07-19 | 1983-02-22 | Begusarai |
| Abdul Ghafoor | Congress | 1983-02-22 | 1985-03-12 | Kishanganj |
| Bindeshwari Dubey | Congress | 1985-03-12 | 1989-08-11 | Begusarai |
| Jagannath Mishra | Congress | 1989-12-10 | 1990-08-11 | Jhanjharpur |
| Lalu Prasad Yadav | RJD | 1990-08-11 | 1995-03-27 | Gopalganj |
| President Ruling | 1995-03-28 | 1995-04-04 | ||
| Lalu Prasad Yadav | RJD | 1995-04-05 | 1997-07-25 | Raghopur |
| Rabri Devi | RJD | 1997-07-26 | 1999-02-11 | N/A |
| President Ruling | 1999-02-12 | 1999-03-09 | ||
| Rabri Devi | RJD | 1999-03-09 | 3/2/2000 | N/A |
| Nitish Kumar | Samata party | 2000-03-03 | 2000-03-10 | N/A |
| Rabri Devi | RJD | 2000-03-11 | 2005-06-11 | Raghopur |
| President Ruling | 2005-06-12 | 2005-11-13 | ||
| Nitish Kumar | JD(U) | 2005-11-14 | Present | Nalanda |
Conclusion
Bihar’s Chief Ministers have played a pivotal role in shaping the state’s trajectory. Their legacies are intertwined with Bihar’s successes and challenges, reflecting the complex political and social landscape of the region.
FAQs on Bihar CMs List
- Q1: Who was Bihar’s first Chief Minister?
- A1: Sri Krishna Sinha served as Bihar’s first Chief Minister.
- Q2: Who is the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar?
- A2: Nitish Kumar is the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar.
- Q3: When did Lalu Prasad Yadav serve as Chief Minister of Bihar?
- A3: Lalu Prasad Yadav served as Chief Minister from 1990 to 1997.
- Q4: Were there periods of political instability in Bihar’s history?
- A4: Yes, Bihar experienced political instability, particularly between 1967 and 1990, with numerous short-lived governments.