Kumar's potential shift to the Rajya Sabha is likely driven by pressure from the BJP, which is the single largest party in the state with 89 MLAs

Kumar's potential shift to the Rajya Sabha is likely driven by pressure from the BJP, which is the single largest party in the state with 89 MLAs

Kumar's potential shift to the Rajya Sabha is likely driven by pressure from the BJP, which is the single largest party in the state with 89 MLAs

Bihar is poised for a significant political reshuffle, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expected to file his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha polls on Thursday.

Kumar, the longest-serving chief minister of the state, is reportedly set to step down, potentially paving the way for BJP leadership in Bihar. If this unfolds, the state would see its first BJP chief minister—Bihar has been the only Hindi heartland state where the saffron party has not yet held the top post.

While there has been no official confirmation regarding Kumar’s move to the upper house, speculation has intensified after state minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary hinted on Wednesday that the chief minister is considering a Rajya Sabha role.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is projected to win all five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar, which go to polls on March 16.

Political analysts suggest that Kumar’s potential shift to Delhi comes amid pressure from the BJP, which is the single largest party in the state with 89 MLAs, compared to JD(U)’s 85. 

The BJP has not commented officially on the leadership speculation. However, reports said, in the event of Kumar vacating the post, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Union Minister of State Nityanand Rai, both former state BJP presidents, are seen as strong contenders for the chief ministership.

Nitish Kumar with Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Kumar’s exit would also signify a major realignment in the ruling alliance, with the BJP no longer playing second fiddle to the JD(U). The saffron party’s steady growth in Bihar has been evident since 2014, following the Modi wave. 

Kumar, who had temporarily broken away from the NDA over Modi’s elevation as prime minister in 2014, later found his party reducing to a junior partner in the alliance with the BJP consolidating its position in the state

In the 2020 Assembly elections, the BJP won 74 seats, while the JD(U) was reduced to 43, marking a decline in the latter’s dominance despite Kumar retaining the chief ministership. 

In the 2025 elections, both parties improved their tally, but the BJP’s rise to become the single largest party fueled speculation that it could claim the chief ministership. Nevertheless, the party allowed Kumar to continue as CM to maintain alliance stability.

Now, Kumar’s move to Delhi is seen as part of a larger political strategy, with the JD(U) expected to launch Kumar’s son, Nishant, into state politics. Reports indicate that, in the event of a leadership change, the BJP may accommodate Nishant in the cabinet by offering him the deputy chief minister post.

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