PATNA, April 15 -- The cabinet room of Bihar's Old Secretariat was literally filled with emotions as Nitish Kumar presided over his last meeting as state's chief minister on Tuesday. Everyone was aware of this, and thus everyone was emotional. For more than two decades he had walked into this room to decide on roads, schools, power lines and welfare schemes. On this final Tuesday, the usual files on development gave way to farewells, moist eyes and folded hands. Kumar, who had steered Bihar out of the "jungle raj" of the Lalu-Rabri years and built the much-talked-about model of sushasan, was stepping down. A BJP-led government, the first in the state's history, was about to take charge. Kumar arrived shortly before 11 am, flanked by deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha, and senior JD(U) leader Vijay Chaudhary. Other ministers joined him later. The meeting was brief but intense. In a calm yet reflective voice that occasionally cracked with feeling, the outgoing chief minister looked back at the long journey that began on 24 November 2005, when the NDA first formed a government in Bihar. "You know that on 24 November 2005, an NDA government was formed in the state for the first time," he told his ministers. "Since then, there has been the rule of law and we have remained constantly engaged in development work. From the very beginning the government has worked for the development of every section-whether Hindu or Muslim, upper caste or backward, extremely backward, Dalit or Mahadalit. Work has been done in every sector-education, health, roads, electricity, agriculture. A lot has also been done for women and youth." He spoke of the fresh momentum given to governance in recent years and of the ambitious "Saat Nischay-3" programme framed for 2025-30 that would push Bihar into the ranks of the country's most developed states. "Central cooperation is also fully available for Bihar's development," he added, offering a respectful salute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Bihar will develop even faster and will be counted among the top states of the country." Then came the moment that visibly moved the room. Kumar announced he had decided to relinquish the chief minister's post. After the meeting he would drive to the Governor's residence and hand in his resignation. "The new government will now look after the work here," he said. "The new government will have my full cooperation and guidance. A great deal of good work will be done ahead and Bihar will move far forward. I thank everyone very much and give my best wishes." The words triggered an outpouring of gratitude. Deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary, scheduled to be sworn in as the new CM on Wednesday, spoke with visible emotion. "There is complete confidence that under your guidance Bihar will continue to move forward on the path of development," he said. "Your most successful tenure and the model of 'sushasan' are a source of inspiration." Senior JD(U) leader and water resources minister Vijay Chaudhary summed up the collective sentiment when he listed the major achievements of the Nitish era and expressed hope that the incoming dispensation would set new milestones "under the guidance of Nitish Kumar". Agriculture minister Ram Kripal Yadav, a senior BJP leader, called the meeting "a very emotional moment for all of us". "The CM had drawn a big line of governance," he said later. "His absence from the chair will be felt for a long time." Another minister, Sanjay Singh of Chirag Paswan's LJP (RV), recalled Kumar's assurance: "My guidance will continue to be available. A great deal of work has been accomplished in Bihar, and more will be done in the future. You all should work together harmoniously in the new government." JD(U) MLA and minister Mohammad Zama Khan's voice thickened as he spoke to reporters: "The people of Bihar will remember him. He promised that he would continue to look after Bihar. We were all emotional. He was our guardian." Before leaving the secretariat, Kumar posed for a group photograph with his ministers and senior officials-a quiet, almost ceremonial end to an era. When the cars pulled out, the symbolism was hard to miss: Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha drove away together in one vehicle, while Vijay Chaudhary accompanied Kumar in another. Kumar, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha last week, is expected to remain active in Bihar's affairs from Delhi, offering guidance whenever needed. "CM Nitish Kumar will continue to contribute towards Bihar as a member of the Rajya Sabha," said minister Deepak Prakash....