Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on March 5, 2026, that he will file nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections, ending his record as the state's longest-serving chief minister. The BJP is set to appoint its first chief minister in Bihar, amid protests from JD(U) supporters. Opposition leaders have labeled it a betrayal of the people's mandate.
Patna, March 5, 2026: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on social media that he will file nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections to fulfill his long-standing wish. He stated, 'From the very beginning of my parliamentary journey, there has been a desire in my heart to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament. In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time.' Nitish assured that the new government will be formed with his full cooperation and guidance.
This decision comes just four months after the 2025 assembly elections, where the NDA secured victory. The BJP won more seats than JD(U), yet Nitish remained chief minister. Now, the BJP will appoint its first chief minister in Bihar. Potential candidates include Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary (OBC Kushwaha), Union Minister Nityanand Rai (OBC Yadav), Minister Dilip Jaiswal (EBC Vaishya), and MLA Sanjeev Chaurasia (OBC Tamoli). Samrat Chaudhary is considered the strongest contender.
Meanwhile, JD(U) supporters vandalized the party office in Patna and protested outside the chief minister's residence. They accused Sanjay Jha and Lalan Singh of 'betrayal' and acting on BJP's behest. One supporter said, 'Nitish Kumar built the good governance model; how can they remove him?' Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav stated that the BJP has gobbled its ally and the new chief minister will be a 'rubber stamp.' CPI(ML)'s Dipankar Bhattacharya called it an outright betrayal of the mandate. Congress's Jairam Ramesh alleged a 'leadership coup' betraying the people's mandate.
Nitish's political journey began in the 1974 anti-Emergency movement. He was first elected MLA in 1985 and has served as chief minister 10 times. During his tenure, initiatives included road construction, law and order restoration, bicycle scheme for girls, and 35% reservation for women in government jobs. Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Patna, where BJP president Nitin Nabin will also file nomination. JD(U) workers are silent on speculations of Nitish's son Nishant Kumar becoming deputy chief minister. This marks the end of an era in Bihar politics.
