05 March,2026 01:29 PM IST | Patna | mid-day online correspondent
Nitish Kumar. File Pic
Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced that he will contest the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, signalling the end of his tenure as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar. The veteran leader's decision marks a significant political shift in the state, where he has been at the helm for nearly two decades, reported news agency PTI.
Kumar, who has served as chief minister for a record 10 terms since 2005, said he would continue to support the state's governance even after stepping aside from the top post. He assured the people of Bihar that the new government formed in the state would have his "full cooperation and guidance".
In a post on X, Nitish Kumar expressed gratitude to the people of Bihar for placing their trust in him for over two decades. He credited the public's support for enabling his government to work towards the development and dignity of the state.
"For more than two decades, you have consistently placed your trust and support in me, and it is on the strength of that trust that we have served Bihar and all of you with complete dedication," Kumar said. He added that the trust reposed in him by the people had helped Bihar achieve a new phase of development and progress, reported PTI.
Explaining his decision to contest the Rajya Sabha elections, Kumar said it had been his long-held aspiration to serve in both Houses of Parliament as well as the state legislature.
"From the very beginning of my parliamentary journey, I wanted to become a member of both Houses of the state legislature and both Houses of Parliament. In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time," he said, reported PTI.
Kumar also assured citizens that his relationship with the people of Bihar would remain unchanged and that he would continue working for the state's development.
With Kumar stepping aside after leading the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to a landslide victory in the assembly elections held in November last year, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader is now expected to take over as chief minister.
If that happens, Bihar will witness its first BJP chief minister - making it the last Hindi heartland state where the party had not yet held the top post.
Five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar are scheduled to go to the polls on March 16, with the deadline for filing nomination papers closing on Thursday. Kumar's election to the Upper House is considered almost certain given the NDA's strong numerical strength in the 243-member state assembly.
However, Kumar's announcement triggered protests among some JD(U) workers. A large number of party supporters gathered outside the chief minister's residence, expressing dissatisfaction over his decision to move to the Rajya Sabha, reported PTI.
State Sunni Waqf Board chairman and JD(U) leader Alhaj Mohammad Irshadullah said many party workers were unhappy with the development. "When I came to know about it, it was a shocker. He should have remained the chief minister," he said, reported PTI.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Jha also questioned the move, claiming the decision appeared to have been influenced by political developments in New Delhi, reported PTI.
The development comes amid growing speculation about the possible entry of Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, into active politics. JD(U) leaders had earlier indicated that a formal announcement regarding Nishant's political role could be made soon, reported PTI.
Rural Development Minister Shrawon Kumar recently said there had been increasing demands from party members and young supporters for Nishant to join public life. Reports suggest that the engineering graduate, who is in his 40s, could even be considered for a key role in the new government.
The Rajya Sabha elections will take place as the terms of JD(U)'s Harivansh Narayan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur, RJD's Prem Chand Gupta and Amarendra Dhari Singh, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) leader Upendra Kushwaha come to an end.
A candidate requires first-preference votes from 41 MLAs to secure a seat. The NDA currently holds a commanding majority in the 243-member Bihar assembly with 202 MLAs, including 89 from the BJP and 85 from the JD(U).
The BJP has already named its newly appointed state president Nitin Nabin and state general secretary Shivesh Kumar as candidates, while also backing Kushwaha for another term in the Upper House.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to attend the filing of nomination papers, adding further political significance to the upcoming election.
(With inputs from PTI)
