Patna: Political speculation intensified in Bihar on Wednesday amid reports that chief minister Nitish Kumar may contest a Rajya Sabha seat and step down from the state’s top post if elected to the Upper House of parliament.
Sources within the Janata Dal (United) said nomination papers for Nitish’s Rajya Sabha bid had already been prepared and were nearly ready, awaiting only his signature. He is expected to file his nomination on Thursday, March 5.
Questions over succession
The reports have also revived discussion about the possible political entry of Nitish’s son, Nishant Kumar. Sources claim Nishant could be considered for the post of deputy chief minister as part of a broader political realignment within the ruling alliance.
While there has been no official confirmation from the JD(U) or its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners, the idea has gained traction in recent days. A senior minister close to Nitish Kumar recently hinted at what he described as a “dramatic entry” for Nishant into active politics.
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Key meetings fuel speculation
Adding to the speculation, JD(U)’s national working president Sanjay Jha arrived in Patna from Delhi on Wednesday and held a lengthy closed-door meeting with the chief minister.
Meanwhile, union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Lallan Singh, is expected to arrive in Patna from Delhi on Thursday morning, indicating that consultations within the party leadership are intensifying.
Within the JD(U), Ramnath Thakur is widely expected to be nominated for one of the party’s Rajya Sabha seats, though the second candidate has yet to be finalised.
Yatra may be postponed
In another development that has added to the speculation, sources indicated that the next phase of Nitish’s ‘Samriddhi Yatra’, scheduled to begin on March 8, may be postponed.
The possible delay has strengthened perceptions among political observers that the chief minister could be preparing for a shift towards national politics through the Rajya Sabha.
Neither Nitish nor the JD(U) leadership has officially confirmed the reports. However, with nominations for the Upper House election approaching, the evolving situation has become one of the most closely watched developments in Bihar politics.
