Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has decided to contest the upcoming Rajya Sabha election and is expected to file his nomination on Thursday morning, according to senior Janata Dal (United) leader Vijay Chaudhary.
Chaudhary confirmed that Nitish himself had taken the decision to enter the Upper House of Parliament. According to party sources, Nitish will step down as chief minister only after the Rajya Sabha election results are declared on March 16, following which the process of forming a new government in Bihar will begin.
If Nitish moves to the Rajya Sabha, the chief minister’s post is expected to go to the Bharatiya Janata Party, JD(U)’s ally in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Political discussions in Patna have centred on possible successors from the BJP, with the names of current deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary and Union minister Nityanand Rai being widely mentioned. However, party insiders say the BJP could also spring a surprise by choosing a new face.
You may like to read this article as well:
Nitish Kumar To Leave CM Post For Rajya Sabha? Son Nishant Set To Enter Bihar Government
Nitish’s son Nishant Kumar is also expected to formally enter politics on Thursday and join the JD(U). Sources indicated that he could be considered for the post of deputy chief minister in the new political arrangement, although no official announcement has been made.
Nitish Kumar is reportedly set to file his nomination at around 11:30am along with other NDA candidates. Bharatiya Janata Party national president Nitin Naveen is also scheduled to submit his nomination for the Rajya Sabha on the same day. Union home minister Amit Shah is expected to be present in Patna during the process.
You may like to read this article as well:
The developments triggered intense political activity in the state capital. Senior JD(U) leaders, including the party’s national working president Sanjay Jha, met Nitish at his official residence. Later, a closed-door meeting was held at Jha’s residence, attended by Vijay Chaudhary and other leaders, to finalise the strategy ahead of the nomination deadline.
Thursday is the last day for filing nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections, adding urgency to the ongoing political consultations.
Meanwhile, NDA ally and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan dismissed speculation about an imminent leadership change in Bihar. “There is no such discussion. No such situation is going to arise,” Paswan said. “Our government is running in Bihar under the experienced leadership of chief minister Nitish Kumar. The double-engine government of our chief minister and prime minister will continue to function in Bihar.”
