In a major political development in Bihar, Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced that he will step down as the Chief Minister of the state and seek election to the Rajya Sabha. The move marks a significant shift in Bihar’s political landscape and could pave the way for a leadership change in the state government.
Speaking about his decision, the veteran leader said the step was guided by a long-standing personal aspiration—to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament. With this aim in mind, he has decided to contest the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
In a message posted on X, Nitish Kumar expressed gratitude to the people of Bihar for their unwavering support for more than two decades. He said their trust had enabled him to serve the state with dedication and helped Bihar move towards a new phase of development and dignity.
Kumar noted that since the beginning of his parliamentary journey, he had wished to serve in all four legislative bodies: the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the Bihar Legislative Council, the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha. Having already served in three of these, he now hopes to complete that journey by entering the Upper House of Parliament.
He also assured the people of Bihar that his decision to step aside from the chief minister’s post would not end his engagement with the state’s development. Kumar said he would continue to guide and support the new government that takes charge in the state.
The development comes only months after the National Democratic Alliance returned to power in Bihar under Nitish Kumar’s leadership following a landslide victory in the 2025 Assembly elections. His move to the Rajya Sabha is expected to trigger a leadership transition within the ruling alliance.
Political observers believe that if Kumar steps down as chief minister, the Bharatiya Janata Party could assume the top post in Bihar for the first time. Despite being a dominant political force across the Hindi heartland, the BJP has never held the chief minister’s office in the state so far.
Nitish Kumar is expected to file his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha election later today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to be present during the filing of his nomination.
Five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar are scheduled to go to polls on March 16. The elections are being held as the terms of several members are coming to an end, including JD(U)’s Harivansh Narayan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur, Rashtriya Janata Dal leaders Prem Chand Gupta and Amarendra Dhari Singh, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha leader Upendra Kushwaha.
Based on the current strength of parties in the Bihar legislature, all five seats are expected to go to candidates backed by the ruling NDA alliance.
If elected to the Rajya Sabha, Nitish Kumar will join an exclusive group of Bihar leaders who have served in all four legislative houses. Among those who achieved this distinction earlier are former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, late BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, and former MP Nagmani Kushwaha.
So far, Nitish Kumar has served as a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the Bihar Legislative Council, and the Lok Sabha. Entry into the Rajya Sabha would complete his representation across all four legislative bodies in India’s parliamentary and state system—an achievement attained by only a handful of politicians.
With this move, the seasoned leader appears set to transition from state-level leadership to a broader role in national politics while continuing to influence Bihar’s political trajectory.
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