Bihar Political Transition Looms as Nitish Kumar Set for Rajya Sabha Oath
In a significant development that signals a major political transition in Bihar, BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi announced on Sunday that JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar will take oath as a Rajya Sabha member on April 10. This move is expected to set the stage for the appointment of a new chief minister in the state, bringing an end to Kumar's record-breaking tenure as Bihar's longest-serving CM.
Oath Ceremony and Subsequent Decisions
Sanjay Saraogi stated, "After his oath in the Parliament, the BJP's central leadership and NDA allies will sit together and take a decision over the next CM of Bihar." This statement underscores the collaborative approach within the ruling coalition as they prepare for a leadership change. Kumar's entry into the Rajya Sabha will also place him in a rare group of politicians who have served in all four legislative forums: the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Bihar Legislative Council, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.
Kumar's Schedule and Resignation Plans
According to NDA sources, Kumar is likely to depart from Patna for Delhi on April 9, following what is anticipated to be his final cabinet meeting in Bihar on April 8. During his expected two-to-three-day stay in the national capital, he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior NDA leaders to discuss the formation of the next government in Bihar.
Kumar is projected to resign as chief minister on April 13, shortly after returning from Delhi. He had previously resigned from the Bihar Legislative Council on March 30 to avoid holding dual memberships beyond the 14-day constitutional limit, a step that aligns with his transition to the Rajya Sabha.
BJP's Optimism and Successor Speculation
The BJP camp is visibly upbeat over the possibility of finally securing its own chief minister in Bihar, the only Hindi heartland state where the party has remained without the top post despite being part of the ruling coalition for nearly two decades. As the BJP is expected to lead the next government, speculation has intensified over Kumar's successor.
Among the frontrunners are Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, Bihar Industries Minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who also holds the crucial home portfolio. All three are considered close to Amit Shah and belong to the backward classes, highlighting the caste dynamics at play.
Caste Arithmetic and Potential Dark Horses
Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar, who belongs to the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), is also being viewed as a possible dark horse if caste arithmetic becomes central to the BJP's decision. In Bihar, EBCs account for 36.01% of the population, while backward classes make up 27.12%, making these considerations crucial in the selection process.
There is additional speculation that Kumar's only son, Nishant Kumar, may take a more active role in the JD(U) and the state government, possibly even as a deputy chief minister, adding another layer to the political reshuffle.
Upcoming Parliamentary Session
Kumar is also expected to attend a special three-day session of Parliament beginning April 16, marking his early engagement in national legislative duties following his oath. This transition not only reshapes Bihar's political landscape but also reinforces Kumar's enduring influence across multiple levels of governance.
