Patna: The question of who will lead Bihar after the 2025 Assembly elections appears settled, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirming that incumbent Nitish Kumar will continue as Chief Minister.
In an interview on Friday, Singh, a senior BJP leader, said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would contest the elections under Kumar’s leadership. “Nitish will be the Chief Minister after the elections,” he stated, pointing to the enthusiasm and large crowds at NDA rallies as evidence that the alliance could secure more than 160 of the 243 seats, achieving a comfortable two-thirds majority.
The statement comes as opposition parties, particularly the Grand Alliance, had positioned Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as their chief ministerial candidate, prompting repeated calls for the NDA to formally announce its own face. Singh’s comments are likely to shape the narrative in the final weeks of campaigning.
Dismissal of smaller parties and campaign strategies
Singh also downplayed the influence of Prashant Kishor, the strategist associated with the Grand Alliance, and declared that the Jan Suraaj Party would not win a single seat. “The real contest is between the NDA and the Grand Alliance,” he said, dismissing the potential impact of smaller parties.
On the internal leadership front, Singh signalled that the BJP would decide its new national president only after the Bihar election results, stressing that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) does not intervene in party political decisions.
Regarding the Deputy Chief Minister post, Singh offered a cautious stance, noting that any decision would be taken with the consent of all NDA allies, amid speculation over potential claims from the BJP and Chirag Paswan’s party.
Appeal to women voters
Highlighting the NDA’s perceived support among female voters, Singh said women had confidence in the state’s law and order under Nitish Kumar, contrasting this with lingering concerns over previous administrations led by the RJD.
