Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced his decision to step down from the state’s top job and head to the Rajya Sabha.In a social media post on X, Nitish said he had long harboured a desire to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislative Assembly as well as both Houses of Parliament.
“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. It was the power of your faith and support that has enabled Bihar today to present a new dimension of development and dignity. For this, I have expressed my gratitude to you on several occasions in the past as well,” Nitish said.“From the very beginning of my parliamentary journey, I have harboured a desire to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislative Assembly as well as both Houses of Parliament. In keeping with that aspiration, I seek to become a Member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections taking place this time. I wish to assure you with complete honesty that my bond with you will endure in the future as well, and my resolve to work alongside you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast as ever. The new government that will be formed will have my full cooperation and guidance,” he added.The post came less than four months after Nitish led the National Democratic Alliance to a sweeping victory in the Bihar polls. The veteran leader, who recently turned 75 and took oath for a record tenth term in November, is now set to move to the Rajya Sabha.With Nitish joining the Upper House, the door is open for the Bharatiya Janata Party to appoint its own chief minister in Bihar for the first time. According to leaders familiar with the discussions, Nitish will formally enter the Upper House once the new Rajya Sabha term begins after April 9, when outgoing members retire. The transition is seen within the NDA as a carefully timed change of guard that would allow a new leadership team to settle in before the next political cycle.Speculation has also grown over the political debut of Nitish’s son, Nishant Kumar, who is expected to enter public life soon. While some within the alliance believe he could be considered for a deputy chief minister’s role, there is no clarity yet about his position or responsibilities.Potential successors include Bihar deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary and Union minister Nityanand Rai, both seen as strong contenders if the BJP takes over the top post, TOI earlier reported.
