Patna/New Delhi, April 9, 2026 — In a significant political transition, Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar is scheduled to take oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha on April 10 in New Delhi, marking the end of his long tenure as the state's longest-serving Chief Minister.
Bihar BJP leader and president Sanjay Saraogi confirmed the development, stating that Kumar, who recently resigned from the Bihar Legislative Council following his election to the Upper House, will formally assume the role on Friday. Kumar is expected to travel to the national capital on April 9 ahead of the ceremony.
This move comes after the NDA swept all five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar in March, with Kumar among the winners alongside BJP's Nitin Nabin and others. His shift to national politics has triggered intense speculation over leadership in Bihar, where he has served as Chief Minister multiple times over nearly two decades.
# NDA to Choose Successor
Following the oath-taking, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) — comprising the JD(U), BJP, and other allies — will hold discussions involving Bihar's current leadership, BJP's central leadership, and alliance partners to decide on the next Chief Minister and any cabinet reshuffle. Saraogi emphasized a collaborative process, saying the central leadership and NDA will elect the new leader after the ceremony.
Sources indicate Kumar is likely to resign as Chief Minister shortly after returning from Delhi, possibly after April 13 once the inauspicious Kharmas period ends, paving the way for a new government formation by mid-April. He may continue in a caretaker role briefly until the successor is sworn in.
Speculation is rife over potential successors. Names being discussed include BJP leaders such as Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Union Minister Nityanand Rai, and others like Vijay Kumar Sinha or Dilip Jaiswal. While some reports suggest the BJP could claim the top post for the first time in the state (given its position as the largest party in the assembly), others point to a possible JD(U) continuation with adjusted power-sharing, including deputy CM roles. The final call rests with the NDA's top leadership.
# Background and Implications
Nitish Kumar's decision to move to the Rajya Sabha signals a new chapter in Bihar's politics following the NDA's strong performance in the 2025 assembly elections. The veteran leader, often credited with shaping the state's development and coalition strategies, had filed his nomination in the presence of senior leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Political observers view this as a carefully managed transition that could allow fresh leadership to consolidate before future electoral cycles. The process is expected to be smooth, with emphasis on maintaining NDA unity.
Further details on the exact timing of the resignation and the new CM's swearing-in are anticipated after Kumar's oath and subsequent NDA consultations in Delhi.
This development is being closely watched across the political spectrum as it could reshape power dynamics in Bihar, potentially bringing a BJP-led government to the state for the first time under the current alliance framework.
For More News Updates Follow Us On www.tconews.in
