By Veteran Bihar leader Nitish Kumar has confirmed that he intends to step down from the post of Chief Minister and contest the upcoming Rajya Sabha election, ending weeks of political speculation in the state. The announcement marks a significant shift in Bihar’s political landscape, as the long-serving leader prepares to move from state politics to the national Parliament.
In a message shared publicly, Kumar said the decision stems from a long-held personal aspiration: to become a member of all four legislative houses in India’s parliamentary system. Over the course of his decades-long political career, he has served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), and a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha. A stint in the Rajya Sabha would complete that rare combination.
Kumar, who heads the Janata Dal (United), reflected on his years in office while addressing the people of Bihar. He credited public trust for allowing his government to pursue development initiatives and said his relationship with the state would continue even after stepping away from the chief minister’s chair. According to him, the next government will continue to receive his guidance and support.
The move also carries symbolic weight in Bihar’s political history. Kumar emerged from the same generation of leaders who rose to prominence during the anti-Emergency movement of the 1970s. Among his contemporaries were Lalu Prasad Yadav, the late Sushil Kumar Modi, Ram Vilas Paswan, and Sharad Yadav. Most of them eventually served in the Rajya Sabha at some stage of their careers, while Kumar had not yet done so.
Political observers say the transition would allow him to match a rare record in Indian politics — membership in both houses of Parliament as well as both chambers of a state legislature. Only a handful of leaders have completed that full parliamentary circuit.
With Kumar preparing to leave the chief minister’s office, attention has quickly turned to the question of succession in Bihar. The ruling alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and JD(U), is expected to decide on a new chief minister once Kumar formally resigns.
Several names are circulating within political circles. Among the prominent contenders is Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who currently holds the influential home portfolio and is considered one of the BJP’s key leaders in the state. Union Minister Nityanand Rai is also being discussed as a possible choice, given his organisational influence and parliamentary experience.
Another potential candidate is Bihar minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, while some local leaders have also suggested the name of MLA Sanjiv Chaurasiya.
Despite the speculation, the BJP has a reputation for springing last-minute surprises in leadership selections. For now, Kumar’s decision has triggered a new phase in Bihar politics — one that could reshape both the state government and his own long political journey.
