PATNA, April 5 -- The process for the formation of the new government in Bihar will commence shortly after chief minister Nitish Kumar, the state's longest-serving CM, takes oath as a Rajya Sabha member on April 10, Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Sanjay Saraogi said on Sunday.

Saraogi said Nitish Kumar, who resigned as a legislative council member last week after his election to the Rajya Sabha, will take the oath on April 10.

"After that, the central leadership of the BJP and the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) will elect the leader. Nitish Kumar will also be part of the process," he told reporters on Sunday.

Kumar has called a meeting of the state cabinet on April 9, possibly the last meeting under his leadership, be...