Nitish Kumar may move to Rajya Sabha as NDA prepares leadership shift in Bihar

Political activity intensified in Patna after signals emerged about a possible leadership change in Bihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may soon move to the Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, the NDA began preparing the ground for a new Chief Minister in the state.

The development followed growing concern about Nitish Kumar’s health. Even during his swearing-in after the NDA’s sweeping Assembly victory last November, many leaders expected a possible transition during the term. Now, those discussions appear to have gained momentum.

On Wednesday night, senior leaders from Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (United) held consultations in Patna. Party insiders said Nitish Kumar may file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha soon. If that happens, Bihar will require a new Chief Minister.

Sources within the NDA indicated that the BJP may lead the next government in Bihar. However, leaders have not announced any official decision yet.

Late into the night, several JD(U) leaders and members of Nitish Kumar’s family gathered at the Chief Minister’s residence. They tried to persuade him to continue in office. Party leaders acknowledged internal discussions but avoided firm confirmation.

JD(U) minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary confirmed that conversations about Nitish Kumar’s possible Rajya Sabha move have taken place. However, he said the final decision rests with the Chief Minister himself. He also added that Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar may soon enter politics, reflecting the wishes of party workers.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leaders continued preparations for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit Patna to attend the nomination of BJP leader Nitin Nabin as a Rajya Sabha candidate.

Although both BJP and JD(U) maintained public silence, political sources claimed that Nitish Kumar had already signed papers related to the Rajya Sabha nomination. If confirmed, the move would mark a major shift in Bihar’s leadership.

The NDA currently enjoys a strong majority in the Bihar Assembly. In the last Assembly election, the alliance won 202 out of 243 seats. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 89 seats, while JD(U) secured 85 seats. Nitish Kumar played a major role in that electoral surge and continued as Chief Minister.

However, insiders said health concerns now dominate the leadership discussion. Party sources said the Chief Minister has faced several health challenges in recent months. Some leaders also feel that administrative decisions increasingly depend on the bureaucracy rather than political leadership.

A senior BJP leader acknowledged that Nitish Kumar’s possible exit only months after the election may raise political questions. Still, he argued that the transition could strengthen governance. According to him, Bihar needs a responsive administration as the state government begins a fresh five-year term while the country moves closer to the next Lok Sabha election cycle.

The Opposition reacted sharply to the speculation. Manoj Jha, a leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, criticized the reports. He said such a move would place heavy pressure on JD(U) and raise serious political questions.

Meanwhile, NDA circles started discussing possible successors. Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha emerged as leading contenders. Industry Minister Dilip Jaiswal and BJP MLA Sanjeev Chourasia also entered internal discussions.

Within JD(U), some leaders suggested that Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Nishant Kumar could take roles as deputy chief ministers in a future arrangement. At the same time, Union Minister Nityanand Rai may also emerge as a contender for the top post.

The timing of the potential leadership change surprised many observers. The development surfaced just days before election notifications in four states. Moreover, Nitish Kumar remains the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar and commands strong political influence, particularly among women voters.

Despite the uncertainty, NDA leaders projected confidence about the transition. They insisted that the alliance will manage the leadership shift smoothly while maintaining political stability in Bihar.