In a significant political development, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar has announced that he will contest the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and step down as Bihar’s Chief Minister, drawing the curtain on a tenure that has defined the state’s politics for nearly two decades.
The Rajya Sabha elections for five seats from Bihar are scheduled for March 16, and the filing of nominations concludes today. With the ruling NDA enjoying a comfortable majority in the state Assembly, Kumar’s entry into the Upper House of Parliament is widely seen as a certainty.
Kumar, who first took charge as Chief Minister in 2005, reflected on his long journey in public life. He thanked the people of Bihar for their unwavering trust and support over the years. According to him, it was this faith that allowed his government to focus on development, governance reforms, and restoring a sense of dignity to the state.
“For more than two decades, you have consistently placed your trust and support in me,” he said, expressing gratitude to the people. He added that Bihar’s progress in infrastructure, law and order, and welfare initiatives has been made possible through collective effort and public confidence.
Kumar also revealed that from the beginning of his parliamentary career, he aspired to serve in both Houses of the Bihar legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament. Seeking election to the Rajya Sabha, he said, is a step towards fulfilling that long-standing aspiration.
Despite stepping down from the Chief Minister’s office, Kumar made it clear that he will remain actively involved in the state’s political future. He assured citizens that the new government formed in Bihar will have his full cooperation and guidance, underlining that his commitment to building a developed Bihar remains steadfast.
The development comes shortly after the NDA secured a landslide victory in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. With Kumar moving to national politics, attention has now shifted to his successor. A leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to take over the top post. If that happens, Bihar will witness its first BJP Chief Minister — making it the only major Hindi heartland state where the party had not previously held the office.
Political observers see Kumar’s transition to the Rajya Sabha as a strategic move that could strengthen the NDA’s presence in Parliament while maintaining stability in Bihar. His influence, even outside the Chief Minister’s office, is expected to continue shaping alliance dynamics and policy direction in the state.
Five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar are up for election on March 16, and with the numbers firmly in favor of the ruling alliance, Kumar’s election appears all but certain.
As Bihar prepares for a change in leadership, the moment marks the end of a defining chapter in the state’s governance. Yet for Nitish Kumar, it signals not a farewell but a shift in role — from steering Bihar directly to representing it on the national stage.
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Summary – Key Highlights:
Nitish Kumar will contest the Rajya Sabha elections and resign as Bihar Chief Minister. Five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar go to polls on March 16. A BJP leader is likely to become Bihar’s first BJP Chief Minister. Kumar has assured full cooperation and guidance to the new government while continuing his political journey in Parliament.