Bihar politics is witnessing a major turning point as CM Nitish Kumar prepares to shift from state leadership to national politics. After dominating Bihar’s political landscape for nearly two decades, the veteran leader is expected to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha, setting off intense speculation about who will take charge of the state government next.
The move could mark the end of an era in Bihar, where Nitish Kumar has been the central figure of governance since 2005. His transition to Parliament is likely to open the door for a new chief minister from the BJP within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
At the same time, political discussions in Patna have intensified over possible cabinet changes and the political debut of his son, Nishant Kumar. With top NDA leaders arriving in Patna and party meetings taking place late into the night, the coming days could reshape Bihar’s political landscape.
Who Will Be the Next Possible CM of Bihar?
If Nitish Kumar moves to the Rajya Sabha, the next CM is expected to come from the BJP, which is the largest party in the NDA alliance in Bihar. Several names are currently being discussed in political circles.
Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary is widely seen as the frontrunner. He currently handles important portfolios, including the Home Department and has played a key role in strengthening the BJP’s organisational structure in Bihar.
Another strong contender is Nityanand Rai, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs. Nityanand Rai is a senior BJP leader who earlier served as the party’s Bihar president and has significant political influence in the state.
Vijay Kumar Sinha has also emerged as another strong contender. A senior BJP leader and former Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Sinha, currently serves as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. Known for his legislative experience and organisational role within the party, he is considered an important face of the BJP in the state.
Apart from these leaders, some reports also mention Bihar minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal and BJP MLA Sanjiv Chaurasia as possible candidates. However, the BJP leadership has a reputation for making unexpected choices, so the final decision on Bihar’s next chief minister may not be made until consultations within the NDA leadership are complete.
Who Will Be the New Deputy CM of Bihar?
Alongside the question of the next CM, discussions are also underway about the deputy chief minister’s post. Sources suggest that Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar may soon formally enter politics and could be inducted into the Bihar cabinet. Some reports indicate he could even be appointed as a deputy chief minister.
Senior JD(U) leaders have hinted that Nishant Kumar may be given an important role in the party structure or the government soon. However, the party has not made any official announcement yet. If the move materialises, it would mark the first time Nitish Kumar’s family enters active politics.
Bihar New CM: Who is Nishant Kumar?
Nishant Kumar is the only son of Nitish Kumar and has largely stayed away from public life and politics until now. Unlike many political heirs, he has maintained a low profile and rarely appears in political events. However, in recent months, there has been growing speculation about his possible entry into active politics.
Reports suggest that he may formally join the Janata Dal (United) and take on a larger organisational role. His entry could signal the beginning of a new political generation within the party.
Bihar New CM: Why is Nitish Kumar Resigning?
Several factors appear to have influenced Nitish Kumar’s possible decision to move to the Rajya Sabha. First, the veteran leader is now 75 years old, and a role in Parliament could reduce the pressures of running a state government. Opposition parties have also frequently questioned his health in recent years.
Second, Kumar has long expressed interest in becoming a Rajya Sabha member. Throughout his career, he has served in the Bihar Assembly, the Bihar Legislative Council, and the Lok Sabha, but never in the Upper House of Parliament. By entering the Rajya Sabha, he would complete a rare political milestone, having served in all four legislative forums.
When is Nitish Kumar Resigning?
There is no official confirmation yet on the exact date of Nitish Kumar’s resignation as Bihar Chief Minister. However, sources within the ruling alliance indicate that he may continue in the post at least until the Rajya Sabha election scheduled for March 16.
Reports suggest that Kumar will first file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha along with other NDA candidates. Once the election process moves forward and his entry to the Upper House becomes certain, he is likely to formally step down from the chief minister’s position.
Political developments in Patna have intensified as senior leaders of the ruling alliance continue to hold meetings to finalise the transition plan. If Kumar resigns after the Rajya Sabha polls, it will mark the end of a nearly two-decade-long leadership era in Bihar and open the door for a new chief minister from the BJP within the NDA government.
Nitish Kumar to File Rajya Sabha Nomination Today
CM Nitish Kumar is expected to file his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha today as the NDA prepares for elections to five Upper House seats from Bihar. The nomination process has gained national attention because it could lead to a leadership change in the state government.
The Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar are scheduled for March 16, and the NDA is expected to comfortably secure multiple seats due to its strong majority in the Assembly. Ahead of filing his nomination, Nitish Kumar thanked the people of Bihar for their continued support and reflected on his long political journey.
“From the very beginning of my parliamentary journey, I have harboured a desire to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature and both Houses of Parliament. In keeping with that aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections taking place this time,” he said.
He also assured voters that his commitment to Bihar would remain unchanged even if he moves to Parliament. “I wish to assure you with complete honesty that my bond with you will endure in the future as well, and my resolve to work alongside you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast.”
Who is the Current CM of Bihar?
As of now, Nitish Kumar is the current CM of Bihar. He took oath for his 10th term as chief minister on November 20, 2025, after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a strong victory in the Bihar Assembly elections.
Nitish Kumar is also the longest-serving chief minister in Bihar’s history and has been a central figure in the state’s politics for nearly two decades.
However, the political situation in Bihar is currently in flux. Kumar is expected to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha, which may lead to his resignation from the chief minister’s post. If that happens, Bihar could soon see a new CM from the BJP within the ruling NDA alliance.
Several leaders, including Samrat Choudhary and Nityanand Rai, are being discussed as possible successors if Nitish Kumar steps down. Until any official resignation or leadership change is announced, Nitish Kumar continues to hold the position of Bihar Chief Minister.
Nitish Kumar Total Tenure as Bihar CM
Nitish Kumar remains one of the longest-serving CMs in India. He first became Bihar’s chief minister briefly in March 2000. However, his major political dominance began in November 2005, when he led the NDA to power in the state.
Since then, he has served multiple terms and built a reputation around governance reforms and infrastructure development. Except for a short nine-month period in 2015 when Jitan Ram Manjhi held the post, Nitish Kumar has remained at the centre of Bihar politics.
In November 2025, he took oath for a record 10th term as Bihar chief minister following the NDA’s sweeping victory in the Assembly elections. Now, with his likely move to the Rajya Sabha, Bihar may be preparing to enter a completely new political chapter after nearly two decades under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.
Rajya Sabha Elections 2026
The 2026 Rajya Sabha elections are part of the regular biennial process to fill seats in the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. The Election Commission has scheduled polling for March 16, 2026, when members of state legislative assemblies will vote to elect new MPs to the Rajya Sabha.
Across the country, 37 Rajya Sabha seats from 10 states are going to polls this year as the terms of several sitting members end in April 2026.
In Bihar, five Rajya Sabha seats are falling vacant, making the election politically significant for both the ruling alliance and the opposition. The outcome will largely depend on the strength of parties in the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly, where MLAs vote to elect Rajya Sabha MPs through proportional representation.
To win a Rajya Sabha seat from Bihar, a candidate needs the support of around 41 MLAs, based on the current electoral formula. With the NDA holding a strong majority in the Bihar Assembly following the 2025 state elections, the alliance is widely expected to secure several of these seats comfortably.
