Nitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha move sparks question: Who will be Bihar’s next CM?

Patna (Bihar): Speculation over Bihar’s next Chief Minister intensified on Thursday after Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar announced that he would file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha.

Kumar, who has been the CM since 2005, said the new government that will be formed in the state will have his full cooperation and guidance.

"For more than two decades, you have consistently placed your trust and support in me, and it is on the strength of that trust that we have served Bihar and all of you with complete dedication. It was the power of your trust and support that has enabled Bihar today to present a new dimension of development and dignity," he said, expressing gratitude to the people of the state.

Kumar said that from the very beginning of his parliamentary journey, he wanted to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament.

"In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time," he said.

Who will be the new Bihar Chief Minister?

With Kumar stepping down after leading the ruling NDA to a landslide victory in the 2025 assembly elections, a BJP leader is expected to take over the top post.

Earlier in the day, JD(U) workers staged protests outside Kumar’s residence in Patna and even stopped Hilsa MLA Krishna Murari Sharan from entering the Chief Minister’s residence, opposing the move that could shift the veteran leader to national politics. Supporters insisted that Kumar should continue to lead Bihar, claiming that the people elected him to serve the full term from 2025 to 2030.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has emerged as the frontrunner for the post of Chief Minister if Nitish resigns. A senior BJP leader in the state, Choudhary, currently handles the Home Affairs portfolio and has previously served as the Panchayati Raj Minister.

Another name being discussed is Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, a four-time MLA from Hajipur and former Bihar BJP president. According to a Hindustan Times report, he could also be considered for the top post depending on political negotiations within the NDA alliance.

Meanwhile, reports have also indicated that Nishant Kumar, the son of Nitish Kumar, may soon enter active politics. He is expected to join the JD(U) and could be inducted into the Bihar cabinet, possibly as a Deputy Chief Minister, though no official confirmation has been made.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the upcoming biennial elections to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) to fill the 37 seats across 10 states, as the members are set to complete their term in April 2026.