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.
Speculation about a leadership change intensified after state minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary hinted on Wednesday that the chief minister was considering a role in the upper house. On Thursday morning, Kumar confirmed his Rajya Sabha bid and expressed 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 a post on X. "In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time," he added.
Elections for the five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar will take place on March 16. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with a combined strength of 202 MLAs, can secure four seats on its own. To win the fifth seat, the ruling alliance will require the support of at least three legislators from the Opposition.
पिछले दो दशक से भी अधिक समय से आपने अपना विश्वास एवं समर्थन मेरे साथ लगातार बनाए रखा है, तथा उसी के बल पर हमने बिहार की और आप सब लोगों की पूरी निष्ठा से सेवा की है। आपके विश्वास और समर्थन की ही ताकत थी कि बिहार आज विकास और सम्मान का नया आयाम प्रस्तुत कर रहा है। इसके लिए पूर्व में…
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) March 5, 2026
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.
Kumar’s exit would also signal a major realignment in the ruling alliance, with the BJP no longer prepared to play 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 protesting against Modi’s elevation as prime minister in 2014, later found his party reducing to a junior partner in the alliance with the BJP gradually 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.
In his post on X, Kumar expressed his full cooperation and support for the new government, vowing to continue his efforts toward building a developed Bihar.
"I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and my resolve to work together with you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast. The new government that will be formed will have my full cooperation and guidance," the JD(U) supremo said.
Meanwhile, the opposition has already seized the opportunity to take jabs at the government. Congress leader Rashid Alvi has alleged that the BJP plans to remove Kumar from state politics by offering him a seat in the Rajya Sabha.
"It has been the BJP's policy to have absolute power and authority. They want complete control of Bihar. They aim to outwit Nitish Kumar by offering him a Rajya Sabha seat, moving him to Delhi, and enthroning their own Chief Minister in Bihar. This is very much possible,” he told ANI.
