Nitish Kumar in Rajya Sabha: Who will be Bihar’s next CM? BJP leaders race for top post

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has confirmed his decision to contest the Rajya Sabha elections, marking a major shift in the state’s political landscape even as protests reportedly surfaced within sections of the JD(U). The development comes nearly four months after Kumar was sworn in for a record 10th term as Chief Minister following the NDA’s sweeping victory in the Assembly elections last year.

With Kumar preparing to move to the Upper House of Parliament and expected to file his nomination on Thursday, political circles in Bihar are abuzz with speculation over who will succeed him as the next Chief Minister. The move is widely seen as paving the way for a leadership change in the state government.

According to reports, the Bharatiya Janata Party, which emerged as the single largest party in the 243-member Bihar Assembly with 89 seats, could lead the next government. As part of a possible power-sharing arrangement within the NDA, the Janata Dal (United) may receive two Deputy Chief Minister posts.

Several BJP leaders have emerged as potential contenders for the chief ministerial post. Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha are among the frontrunners, while Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai is also reportedly being considered for the role.

Other names being discussed in political circles include Bihar minister Dilip Jaiswal and Digha BJP MLA Sanjiv Chaurasia. Meanwhile, reports also suggest that Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar may soon enter active politics, with the JD(U) expected to assign him a significant role as the state prepares for a possible leadership transition.