Bihar CMs List – Shaping the State’s History (1947 – Present)

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.