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Nitish Kumar On His Way To Rajya Sabha? A 'CM Change' Buzz, This Time In Bihar, And What It Means
Nitish Kumar On His Way To Rajya Sabha? A 'CM Change' Buzz, This Time In Bihar, And What It Means
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar turned 75 on March 1. But that has nothing to do with the latest speculation over leadership change in Bihar, which has surfaced over his possible move to the Rajya Sabha.
According to sources, Nitish Kumar may step down as Bihar chief minister on being elected to the Rajya Sabha for which he will file nomination papers on Thursday, March 5.
But, many are asking a vital question: is this the end of Nitish Kumar? It’s not like the JD(U) veteran has not made a mark in national politics. He served in Parliament between 1998 and 2004 in the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government under then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as railway, surface transport and agriculture minister.
If Nitish, however, moves to the Rajya Sabha, it will bring about a massive change in the political landscape post the 2025 assembly elections in Bihar. It would be an understatement to say him stepping down would put the state in a flux.
The longest-serving chief minister of Bihar, he has a record of switching alliances (three times) but has managed to win all the elections since 2005. On November 20, 2025, he took oath for a record 10th time.
Historically, a shift to the Rajya Sabha has been interpreted as a “graceful exit" strategy. This could mean the same for Nitish Kumar, potentially paving the way for him to assume a role as an “elder statesman" or “guide".
It comes as Nitish’s son, Nishant Kumar, is slated to make his formal entry into active politics signalling a profound shift in the JD(U)’s internal succession planning. Bihar minister Shrawon Kumar has said it paves the way for him to take up a leading role in the JD(U).
But, the most important player in this shift would be the BJP. While the NDA officially maintained its support for Nitish’s leadership during the 2025 elections, his potential move to the Rajya Sabha reignites buzz about the saffron party finally occupying the CM’s chair.
Following the NDA’s landslide victory — securing 202 out of 243 seats — the BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the assembly for the first time with 89 MLAs. This “big brother" shift in the power balance means that if Nitish moves to Delhi, the BJP is almost certain to demand the state’s highest office.
Experts said while the BJP upheld its pre-poll promise to back him, the current landscape is increasingly viewed as a “post-Nitish era" in waiting, where the party seeks to install one of its own to reflect its status as the dominant force.
A cornerstone of Nitish Kumar’s political identity has been his staunch opposition to “parivarvaad" (dynastic politics), frequently using it as a weapon against the Lalu Prasad Yadav family and the RJD.
But, Nishant Kumar’s entry into the JD(U) represents a dramatic departure from this long-standing belief. A BTech engineer, who has remained reclusive for years, Nishant is expected to be given a “bigger responsibility" within the party.
Party insiders view this move as a desperate measure to prevent the JD(U) from disintegrating after Nitish steps back, serving to hold the fort against internal power struggles between senior leaders like Sanjay Jha or Ashok Choudhary. While JD(U) workers have hailed this as a “Holi gift", it hands a significant victory to the opposition RJD, which can now claim that Nitish has finally embraced the very dynastic politics he once claimed to abhor.
The chief minister narrative was a point of constant friction before and after the Bihar elections last year.
Throughout the 2025 poll campaign, senior BJP leaders — from Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan — insisted there was “no confusion" about Nitish Kumar as the face of the NDA. This commitment was upheld when he was sworn in as the CM.
But, the post-poll reality of the BJP’s sheer numbers in the state assembly has created an environment where the official policy of support is increasingly at odds with the political reality of its dominance. While there is no official statement yet, the persistent speculation shows that the BJP’s promise may have been more of a poll strategy.
The RJD may as well feel vindicated if Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha comes to pass. Led by Tejashwi Yadav, the opposition party has repeatedly portrayed the JD(U) leader as the BJP-led Centre’s “puppet".
The RJD has said Nitish is no longer the real decision-maker and is merely a “shield" or “mask" used by the BJP to dictate governance from Delhi. Opposition leaders have frequently predicted a “forced retirement" for him, claiming that the BJP will “discard" him once they feel secure in their own power. They have also questioned Nitish’s physical and mental fitness by describing his government as a “20-year-old rickety car", which should be taken off the road.
The BJP, meanwhile, has announced its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. It has named its national president, Nitin Nabin, as a candidate marking his Parliament debut.
Nabin, a Kayasth leader who replaced JP Nadda, is seen as an attempt to reassure the BJP’s core upper-caste base. Joining him is Shivesh Kumar, a former MLA whose selection is viewed as part of a strategic Dalit outreach.
Alongside them, Rashtriya Lok Morcha president Upendra Kushwaha is also set to file his nomination, as the NDA looks to sweep all five vacant seats despite the RJD’s decision to field candidates and contest the election.
(With agency inputs)
Source: News18
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