10 Oaths, but still not the longest tenure: Where Nitish Kumar stands among India’s longest-serving CMs

While many are wondering if this would make Nitish Kumar the longest serving CM of the country, it turns out that he isn’t. In fact, he doesn’t even feature in the top five.

Nitish Kumar takes oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar in Patna.

Credit: PTI Photo

For a record 10th time, JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar, on Thursday, November 20, took oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar, where the NDA alliance stomped their way to power, winning a total of 202 seats in the recently concluded assembly elections. However, while many are wondering if this would make Nitish the longest serving CM of the country, it turns out that he isn’t. In fact, he doesn’t even feature in the top five. 

Sikkim Democratic Front leader Pawan Kumar Chamling was CM of Sikkim for a period of 24 years and 165 days between 1994 and 2019. He is followed by Odisha's Naveen Patnaik, who served as CM for 24 years and 99 days.

Nitish Kumar is currently placed at 8th position, serving as CM for 19 years and 93 days. If he finishes his current term, he will be second longest serving CM of the country.

Here's a list of the longest serving CM's of the country: