Nitish Kumar to Resign as Bihar CM for Rajya Sabha Bid

Chandani — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:50:52 +0000

Nitish Kumar Announces Rajya Sabha Bid; To Resign As Bihar CM

So a major political era is coming to an end in Patna. On Thursday, March 5, 2026, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced his bid for the Rajya Sabha. The goal of this move is to fulfill his lifelong wish to serve in all four legislative houses. In fact, he confirmed on social media that he will soon resign from his post as Chief Minister. Plus, he promised to guide the new government that will take over the state.

Fulfilling a Parliamentary Dream

But here is the main reason behind this sudden shift. Nitish Kumar stated that he always wanted to be a member of both the Bihar Legislature and both Houses of Parliament. Is he leaving politics entirely? No. Consequently, he will move to Delhi to take up a national role in the Rajya Sabha. Moreover, he thanked the people of Bihar for trusting him for over two decades. Previously, there were many rumors about his future in the state. So, this announcement finally clears the air. Therefore, Bihar is now preparing for a brand new leadership structure.

Will Bihar Get Its First BJP Chief Minister?

Still, the biggest question remains about who will lead the state next. The plan involves the BJP potentially taking the top post for the first time in Bihar’s history. And, the numbers support this change because the BJP has 89 MLAs compared to the JDU’s 85. Accordingly, reports suggest the JDU might receive two Deputy CM posts in return for supporting a BJP leader.

Party	MLA Count	Proposed Role
🟠 BJP	89	Chief Minister
🟢 JDU	85	Two Deputy CMs
👤 Nishant Kumar	New Entry	Possible Minister/Deputy CM

Protests and the Rise of a New Generation

But not everyone is happy with this transition. JDU supporters have already started protesting in Patna, asking Nitish Kumar to stay. Why? Because many fear the party will lose its identity without him at the helm. Essentially, some protesters are blaming top party leaders for a “conspiracy” to push Nitish out. Indeed, another major story is the potential debut of Nitish’s son, Nishant Kumar, who may join the Bihar Legislative Council soon.

Then there is the matter of the “Dark Horse” candidate. The reason the BJP is keeping quiet is that they often pick surprise names for the CM post. Worth noting: Nominations for the Rajya Sabha seats end today, making this a race against time. Ultimately, the next few days will decide if Bihar enters a new chapter under a BJP Chief Minister.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Nitish Kumar moving to the Rajya Sabha? So, he wants to complete his journey of serving in the Bihar Assembly, Bihar Council, Lok Sabha, and now the Rajya Sabha. Because of this, he feels his parliamentary career will finally be complete.

Who is the frontrunner for the Bihar CM post? In fact, several BJP names are doing the rounds, but the party has not made an official choice. Additionally, the JDU is likely to keep a strong hold on the cabinet through the Deputy CM roles.

What happens to the JDU-BJP alliance now? But the alliance remains intact for now. Consequently, Nitish Kumar has stated he will provide “full cooperation and guidance” to the incoming government.