Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha in Patna on Thursday in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, triggering political discussions in the state regarding the formation of a new government following his decision to move to the Upper House of Parliament.
Kumar’s decision to contest the Rajya Sabha election has intensified political discussions over the appointment of a new Chief Minister in Bihar after he steps down from the post. According to sources, the next government is expected to be formed under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party, though no final decision has been made regarding the candidate for the Chief Minister’s position.
Kumar stated that his decision to seek election to the Rajya Sabha was motivated by a long-standing personal aspiration. In a message shared on social media platform X, he said that since the beginning of his parliamentary life he had wished to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament.
“I have had this desire since the start of my parliamentary life that I should be a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament. This time I want to become a member of the Rajya Sabha,” Kumar wrote.
He also assured that he would continue to provide full cooperation and guidance to the new government that will be formed in the state.
Discussions on the next Chief Minister have intensified following Kumar’s decision to move to the Rajya Sabha. According to sources, the upcoming government will be led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, though the final decision on the Chief Minister will be taken by Kumar.
Several names are being discussed in connection with the position. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is considered among the leading contenders. Choudhary is a Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from the Tarapur constituency and was appointed Bihar BJP state president in March 2023. The party had selected him with a focus on strengthening support among the Koeri/Kushwaha community and the Other Backward Classes.
Union Minister Nityanand Rai is also being discussed as a potential candidate. Rai has been elected continuously as an MLA from the Hajipur Assembly constituency since 2000 and earlier served as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s state president in Bihar.
Another name being mentioned is Dilip Jaiswal, a long-time Bharatiya Janata Party leader who has previously served as the party’s state treasurer in Bihar and has also held a ministerial position in the Nitish Kumar government.
Member of Parliament Giriraj Singh said that the new government would be formed under the leadership and guidance of Nitish Kumar. He also stated that the new Chief Minister would be selected in accordance with Kumar’s decision. Singh noted that Kumar had an opportunity to go to the Rajya Sabha three years ago, but it did not materialise at the time, adding that the current decision is entirely Kumar’s personal choice.
Explaining the reason for his decision, Kumar said he had always wanted to gain experience of both Houses of Parliament. He stated that the move was not only a personal milestone but also held strategic significance for Bihar.
“I want to assure you with complete sincerity that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and together we will fulfil the resolve of building a developed Bihar,” Kumar said.
