JD(U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will take oath as a Rajya Sabha MP on Friday, marking his transition from state chief to a national leader. The JD(U) chief has left for Delhi on Thursday.
Local media reports said an important meeting of the Bihar BJP will also be held in Delhi on Friday, which will see the state BJP core committee formally seek consensus on the name of Bihar's Chief Minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are also expected to attend the meeting, chaired by National President Nitin Naveen.
Nitish will return to Patna the following day, Saturday, after which the government formation process will begin. It is believed that Nitish will resign as Chief Minister on April 13th or 14th, and a new government could be formed on April 15th.
Deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary continues to be the frontrunner for the post. Minister Vijay Chaudhary’s recent remark also gave impetus to the speculations. When asked by reporters, he said, "The name you are circulating will be the one that will be put forward." Chaudhary also added that the BJP will lead the government in Bihar, and JD(U) will be the “younger brother” to the BJP.
This statement by Vijay Kumar Chaudhary is significant because no senior leader has yet clearly stated which party the next Chief Minister will belong to.
Meanwhile, there appears to be a momentum in favour of Nishant Kumar, son of Nitish Kumar. A recent public event saw slogans being raised in favour of Nishant, that too in the presence of Nitish Kumar. Cries of “Nishant Kumar zindabad” and “Bihar ka CM Nishant Kumar” have triggered rumours that Nishant’s name is in contention for the post of the Chief Minister.
However, political analysts believe it is too early for Nishant to become the Chief Minister at this stage, considering his lack of experience in legislative matters. He could be chosen as the Deputy CM or will be given some plum post.
