Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday confirmed that he is seeking a term in the Rajya Sabha, leaving his supporters and party workers in shock.
Soon after the JD(U) supremo’s post on X confirming his Rajya Sabha bid, party workers—unable to accept the possibility of the chief minister’s resignation—staged a protest outside his residence in Patna.
“It is possible that his account has been hijacked,” one party worker told ANI. Another, expressing disappointment over Kumar’s decision, warned that they would organise further protests if the chief minister did not change his decision.
“Nitish Kumar cannot disregard the public’s mandate. There is immense pressure on him as part of a larger conspiracy,” the worker added.
#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: JDU leader Rajeev Ranjan Patel and party supporters raised slogans in support of Nitish Kumar outside the residence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2026
JDU leader Rajeev Ranjan Patel says, "We only want to see Nitish Kumar as the CM of Bihar. We are against… pic.twitter.com/7ydPVjZ1qs
Earlier, protesters reportedly blocked the car of party leader and Hilsa MLA Krishna Murari Sharan, preventing him from entering Kumar’s residence.
Kumar’s supporters, who want him to continue as the state’s chief minister, alleged that a conspiracy is being hatched against their leader.
“Conspiracies are being hatched against Nitish Kumar. The people of Bihar elected him as chief minister for the 2025–2030 term. What is the compulsion to send him to the Rajya Sabha? He will remain the chief minister… Our leader was, is, and will be Nitish Kumar,” a party worker told ANI.
Earlier in the day, Kumar took to X to confirm his Rajya Sabha bid and express his full support and guidance for the new government.
"From the very beginning of my parliamentary journey, there has been a desire in my heart to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament," he said.
"In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time," he added.
Kumar, the longest-serving chief minister of Bihar, is expected to file his nomination papers for the March 16 Rajya Sabha polls on Thursday, paving the way for a BJP chief minister in the state.
Reports suggest that Deputy Chief Minister and former state BJP president Samrat Choudhary could emerge as a front-runner if Kumar vacates the post.
