Patna: Nitish Kumar announced on Thursday that he will contest the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, effectively bringing the curtain down on his record-breaking tenure as the Chief Minister of Bihar.

Having led the state since 2005, Kumar’s move to the Parliament's Upper House paves the way for a new leadership structure in Bihar following the NDA's landslide victory in the 2025 assembly elections.

In an emotional post on X, Kumar expressed deep gratitude to the people of Bihar for their "consistent trust and support" over the last two decades.

"From the very beginning of my parliamentary journey, there has been a desire in my heart to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament," Kumar stated. "In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha."

"I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and my resolve to work together with you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast. The new government that will be formed will have my full cooperation and guidance," he added.

Will Bihar get its first BJP Chief Minister?

With Nitish Kumar stepping aside, political analysts expect a BJP leader to take over the Chief Minister's office. This would be a landmark event, as Bihar remains the only state in the Hindi heartland where the BJP has never held the top post.

The Election: Five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar go to the polls on March 16, 2026.

The Tally: Given the current numbers in the state legislature, Kumar’s election to the Rajya Sabha is considered a certainty.