Nitish Kumar filed Thursday nomination papers for Rajya Sabha, brushing aside objections from family members and unrest within JD(U) in a move widely seen as signalling the approaching end of his record tenure as Bihar CM.
The decision points to a likely transition in Patna, potentially paving the way for a BJP-led govt.
JD(U) functionaries and relatives said party president Nitish, 75, faced strong resistance at home before proceeding. “Not only his son Nishant but the entire family tried to convince Nitishji right through the night so that he does not go to Rajya Sabha at this juncture, but he remained adamant on his decision,” said Nitish’s brother-in-law Anil Kumar.
Nitish has not resigned as CM yet, though political circles expect that step once parliamentary formalities conclude.
About an hour before reaching assembly secretariat to submit nomination papers, Nitish confirmed his decision through a message on X. “Since the beginning of my parliamentary life, I had a desire in my heart that I become a member of both Houses of the Bihar legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament.
In this sequence, in the elections being held this time, I wish to become a member of the Rajya Sabha,” he wrote.
He filed his papers accompanied by Union home minister Amit Shah, who flew in from New Delhi. “Throughout his political journey serving as MLA, MP, CM, and Union minister, Nitish Kumar has maintained an unblemished public life,” Shah said, adding that his tenure as CM will be remembered as a “golden era” as he “has been instrumental in advancing Bihar’s development in multiple sectors”.
“Nitish Kumarji worked to liberate Bihar from the jungle raj,” Shah said. “All NDA partners welcome Nitish Kumarji upon his entry into Rajya Sabha.”
Nitish thanked the people of Bihar. He has served 10 terms as CM over roughly two decades, beginning his first full five-year tenure from 2005 to 2010 in alliance with BJP.
“You have continuously maintained your trust and support with me, and on the strength of that, we have served Bihar and all of you with complete dedication,” he said, adding that Bihar now presents “a new dimension of development and respect”.
Nitish’s decision triggered turmoil within JD(U). Workers vandalised party office in Patna, accusing BJP of engineering a “conspiracy” with help from “traitors within party”. Demonstrations and sit-ins spread across parts of Bihar, urging Nitish to reverse decision.
Attention inside JD(U) has also turned to Nitish’s son Nishant Kumar. Party sources said Nishant is expected to formally join JD(U) on March 8, after which his political role will be decided. Within NDA, discussions have begun over succession in Patna. Sources said Nitish has suggested projecting a Dalit face as next CM or appointing a JD(U) functionary as deputy CM.
Opposition RJD criticised both Nitish and BJP. RJD working president Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said BJP had “done a Maharashtra in Bihar”. He said: “But Nitish Kumar has only himself to blame. While in alliance, we supported him as CM despite having more MLAs, but he chose to walk away on two occasions.”
