Patna: Union home minister Amit Shah has summoned Bihar deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary to Delhi for a meeting on Sunday, as political speculation intensifies over the possibility of a change in leadership in the eastern state.
Choudhary is expected to travel from Patna to the national capital to meet Shah amid growing discussions about who may succeed Nitish Kumar as Bihar’s chief minister. The developments come after Kumar recently filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha, triggering speculation that he may step down from the top post.
No official reason has been given for Shah’s call, but the meeting has fuelled speculation about the formation of a new government in the state. Choudhary currently serves as deputy chief minister in the NDA government led by Kumar and also holds the influential home department, a portfolio previously overseen by the chief minister.
Senior leaders in the Bharatiya Janata Party are believed to have begun internal discussions over a potential successor if Kumar moves to parliament. According to political observers, a new chief minister could be announced in the coming days if Kumar formally resigns after entering the upper house.
Kumar, who is also the national president of the Janata Dal (United), filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha in Patna last Thursday. Shah was present during the filing. Kumar later confirmed his candidature through a social media post, saying he had decided to enter the upper house voluntarily.
A meeting of JD(U) leaders was also held at Kumar’s residence on Friday, where discussions reportedly included the political future of his son, Nishant Kumar, who may soon enter public life.
Elections for five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar are scheduled for March 16. The terms of the newly elected members will begin in April once the current MPs vacate their seats. Reports suggest Kumar may resign as chief minister after taking his seat in the Rajya Sabha, paving the way for a new government in the state.
Within the BJP, Choudhary is seen as one of the leading contenders for the chief minister’s post. A prominent leader from the Kushwaha community, he currently holds the number two position in the state government. The name of Nityanand Rai, a senior BJP leader and a prominent Yadav face in the party, has also been mentioned in political circles.
