Patna: In a dramatic political move, veteran leader Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced that he would step down as the Chief Minister of Bihar and seek election to the Rajya Sabha, bringing an end to decades of direct leadership in the state government.
The announcement came through an emotional post on X, where the chief of Janata Dal (United) said it had long been his ambition to serve in both Houses of the Bihar legislature as well as both chambers of Parliament.
“With this aspiration in mind, I wish to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the upcoming elections,” Kumar wrote, signaling his decision to step away from the Chief Minister’s office after an influential tenure.
Often referred to as “Susashan Babu” for his governance image, Kumar assured people of the state that his political commitment would continue. “My relationship with you will remain strong in the future as well. I will continue to work with the same determination to build a developed Bihar. The new government will receive my full support and guidance,” he said.
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
BJP Likely to Take the Helm
Political circles in Patna indicate that the leadership transition could significantly strengthen the position of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state. Reports suggest that Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar may be brought into the government as Deputy Chief Minister, while the BJP is expected to claim the Chief Minister’s post in a major shift within the alliance.
A senior leader close to Kumar hinted that the change had long been in the works, remarking, “Everything had been decided in Delhi,” suggesting that the central leadership played a key role in shaping the transition.
A Historic Political Career
At 75, Nitish Kumar remains the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar, having taken oath an unprecedented ten times. Throughout his career, he has navigated complex alliances, leading governments backed by both the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan.
Despite several political realignments, Kumar retained a strong voter base, particularly among women. His welfare initiatives—such as the bicycle scheme for schoolgirls and the controversial statewide liquor prohibition policy—played a crucial role in consolidating that support.
In the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, when many observers believed his political influence had waned, Kumar staged a comeback, aided largely by women voters who credited his welfare programs for improving social conditions.
Pressure Mounting for Change
However, the political balance within the ruling alliance has gradually shifted. With the BJP emerging as the dominant partner and JD(U) slipping to second place in legislative strength, calls for a leadership reshuffle had been growing louder.
The opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal has also repeatedly questioned Kumar’s leadership, citing concerns about his age and political stamina, further intensifying speculation about an imminent transition.
Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha now appears set to reshape Bihar’s political landscape, potentially marking the beginning of a new power equation in the state while keeping the veteran leader active at the national level.
