Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. File Photo
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: In a significant political development in Bihar, Water Resources Minister Vijay Chaudhary has confirmed that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will step down from his post after taking oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Chaudhary stated that Nitish Kumar will travel to New Delhi on April 9 and formally assume Rajya Sabha membership on April 10. Following this, he will tender his resignation as Chief Minister. Thereafter, leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will convene to decide on the formation of a new government in the state.
When asked about contenders for the Chief Minister’s post, Chaudhary remarked that names being circulated in the media would determine who is seen as being “in the race”.
He reiterated that Kumar’s oath-taking as a Rajya Sabha member is a natural progression after his election, and once he resigns, NDA constituents will take a collective decision on the new leadership.
Meanwhile, the scheduled cabinet meeting of Nitish Kumar government on Wednesday has been cancelled. His visit to Delhi remains confirmed, where crucial decisions regarding Bihar’s political future are expected. A key meeting of the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) is also slated for April 9 in Delhi, with senior leaders, including Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh and party’s working national president Sanjay Jha, set to attend.
Kumar, who serves as the party’s national president, is expected to finalise key decisions during the meeting, including the transfer of power in Bihar, selection of a new Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, and JD(U)’s role in the upcoming government.
According to sources, after taking oath on April 10, Kumar may also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the future political strategy for Bihar.
With his Rajya Sabha membership, Kumar will join the rare list of leaders who have been members of all four legislative bodies — both Houses of Parliament and the state legislature. Speculation is rife that he may resign on April 13, paving the way for a new Chief Minister by April 16.
Preparations for Kumar’s Delhi visit are complete. Ahead of his departure, he symbolically distributed appointment letters to Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) at a ceremony on Wednesday — likely his final such engagement as Chief Minister. The event was also attended by the state’s Deputy Chief Minister.
Kumar had been elected to the Rajya Sabha on March 16. Earlier, he filed his nomination in the presence of BJP leadership, including senior leaders alongside Amit Shah. The NDA has secured all five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar this time.
Having already resigned from the Legislative Council on March 30, Kumar is set to transition fully to Parliament. He is expected to return to Patna on April 11 after the oath ceremony, following which the process of government formation will begin. With the inauspicious ‘Kharmaas’ period ending on April 14, the new government may be formed on April 15— with strong indications that Bihar could see its first BJP Chief Minister.
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