Nitish Kumar, who first became Bihar Chief Minister in 2005, is the state’s longest-serving CM. He began his political career as an MLA in 1985.
Nitish Kumar, JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister, was sworn in as a Rajya Sabha member on Friday, April 10, nearly a month after his election to the Upper House on March 16. Although he has not yet stepped down as CM, his oath signals a transition, paving the way for a new leader to take over.
Under constitutional provisions, Nitish Kumar can continue as Bihar Chief Minister for up to six months after being elected to the Rajya Sabha. However, he was required to resign as an MLC within 14 days of becoming an MP, which he did on March 30.
When is Nitish Kumar likely to resign as CM?
An end of an era appears to be unfolding in Bihar as Nitish Kumar transitions from Patna to Parliament in Delhi. According to ANI, senior BJP leaders are holding a high-level meeting in Delhi on Friday to finalise the roadmap for the state’s new leadership.
Earlier, BJP national president Nitin Nabin stated that there are no differences within the NDA regarding the pending decision on Bihar’s next chief minister.
Senior Bihar minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said Nitish Kumar would first formally assume his role in the Rajya Sabha before further political decisions are made in Patna. He added that Nitish is likely to resign as CM within two to four days after returning from Delhi, following consultations and discussions.
“He has been elected to the Rajya Sabha, and the next step is for him to take oath in the House. After completing the formalities, we will return to Patna, where he is expected to resign as Bihar Chief Minister within two to four days following discussions and deliberations,” Choudhary told ANI.
He added that the selection of the next chief minister would be carried out in accordance with NDA legislative procedures.
Nitish Kumar is Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister. He began his political career as an MLA in 1985 and later served as a Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He first assumed office as Bihar CM in 2005.
Speaking to ANI in Delhi, Saraogi said the day marked an important moment for both Bihar and Nitish Kumar, crediting his leadership for the state’s development.
“It is an important day for both Bihar and Nitish Kumar. He is a mass leader in the state, and under his leadership, the RJD’s ‘jungle raj’ ended, paving the way for Bihar’s development,” Saraogi said.