Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar is poised to create a rare political milestone as his expected entry into the Rajya Sabha will place him among a select group of Bihar politicians who have served in all four legislative houses in India.
With the announcement of his candidature for the upper house of parliament, Kumar is set to become the fifth leader from Bihar to have held membership in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Bihar Legislative Assembly and Bihar Legislative Council. The distinction is considered significant in Indian politics, as few leaders have represented all four legislatures during their careers.
Kumar has previously served as a member of the Lok Sabha as well as both houses of the Bihar legislature. His elevation to the Rajya Sabha would complete that record and add his name to a small list of politicians from the state who have achieved the feat.
Among those who have previously served in all four houses is Lalu Prasad, president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. Upendra Kushwaha, leader of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha, is also part of this group. Former Union minister Nagmani and the late former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi likewise held membership across all four legislative bodies.
For most of these leaders, their political journeys began in the Bihar Legislative Assembly before progressing to national politics in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. Their careers across multiple legislative institutions reflect long-standing influence within both state and national politics.
The trajectory of Lalu Prasad differed slightly from others. He first entered parliament in 1977 as a Lok Sabha member before moving into state politics, eventually serving in the Bihar Legislative Assembly and later the Rajya Sabha.
Kushwaha, meanwhile, has already represented the Lok Sabha, the Bihar Legislative Assembly and the Rajya Sabha during his political career. He is now preparing for what would be his third term in the upper house.
Only a handful of politicians in Bihar have accumulated experience across all four legislatures, making Kumar’s anticipated entry into the Rajya Sabha a notable moment in the state’s political history.
