BJP may take Bihar CM post as NDA prepares to ease Nitish Kumar out: Report

If Nitish Kumar moves to the Rajya Sabha, the state could see a new chief minister soon, with strong indications that the post may go to the BJP.

• Nitish Kumar may resign as Bihar CM, likely to join Rajya Sabha
• BJP leaders seen as frontrunners for next chief minister post
• Health issues may prompt Nitish Kumar's exit

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A political churn unfolded in Patna late Wednesday as discussions intensified around the future of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, according to The Indian Express. Leaders from the BJP and its ally JD(U) indicated that Kumar could soon file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha, a move that would pave the way for a leadership change in the state government.

Senior JD(U) leaders and members of Kumar’s family were seen gathering at the chief minister’s residence late into the night, attempting to persuade him not to step down immediately. Despite those efforts, political circles within the ruling alliance suggested that the groundwork for his exit had already been laid.

While neither the BJP nor the JD(U) issued an official confirmation, sources within the NDA have been cited to say Kumar had “signed the papers” for a Rajya Sabha nomination.

Health Concerns and administrative pressure

Concerns about Kumar’s health have reportedly played a central role in the discussions. According to sources familiar with the developments, the chief minister has been grappling with serious health issues in recent months.

“The CM has been facing serious health issues,” a source reportedly said, adding that there is “a general impression that it’s the bureaucracy that’s running Bihar now.”

Though Kumar had taken oath as chief minister again in November following the NDA’s sweeping victory in the Assembly elections, many within the alliance believed that a transition was likely sooner or later.

Possibility of a BJP Chief Minister

If Kumar moves to the Rajya Sabha, the state could see a new chief minister soon, with strong indications that the post may go to the BJP. Sources in the NDA have been quoted to say that the next CM is likely to come from the BJP ranks.

Names circulating in political discussions include Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Industry Minister Dilip Jaiswal, and BJP MLA from Digha Sanjeev Chourasia. Union Minister Nityanand Rai is also being mentioned as a potential contender for the top post.

Within the JD(U), there are also discussions about reshaping the leadership structure. The party could have two deputy chief ministers, possibly Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar.

Family and party calculations

JD(U) minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary acknowledged that the possibility of Kumar moving to Parliament has been discussed but said the final decision rests with the chief minister himself.

“There has been talks about Nitish Kumar going to Rajya Sabha. But the final call has to be taken by him only… Nishant is joining politics soon as per the wish of party rank and file,” he said.

Earlier conversations within the alliance had reportedly explored sending Nishant Kumar to the Rajya Sabha. However, Nishant is believed to have shown interest in starting his political career directly in Bihar politics.

Timing raises political questions

The NDA secured a commanding victory in the November Assembly elections, winning 202 of the 243 seats. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 89 seats, while the JD(U) won 85 seats — a sharp rise of 42 seats compared to the previous election.

Despite the strong mandate, the possibility of Kumar stepping down just months after returning to office has drawn attention.

A BJP leader admitted that the move could raise questions. “Nitish’s exit at this juncture, barely three months after the elections, has issues with optics,” he said, but argued that it could still be advantageous for the alliance. “The state government has almost five years and we have three years for the Lok Sabha…we need to have a very responsive government.”

Opposition reaction

The opposition was quick to react to the reports of a potential leadership change. RJD MP Manoj Jha expressed skepticism about the development and criticised the situation.

“This night is going to be heavy for JD(U). First, I don’t see it happening. If it happens, it will be like the abduction of the Venezuelan President,” he said.

Amid the political uncertainty, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to be in Patna on Thursday to attend the nomination process of BJP president Nitin Nabin as a Rajya Sabha candidate from Bihar, adding another layer of significance to the unfolding developments.