Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar can continue in office for up to six months after becoming a member of the Rajya Sabha, even after resigning from the state legislature, officials have said.
The Janata Dal (United) leader, who has been elected to the Rajya Sabha, is required to resign from his current position as a member of the Bihar legislative council by March 30 in order to formally take up his new role.
According to Bihar assembly speaker Prem Kumar, constitutional provisions allow an individual to serve as chief minister for six months without being a member of either house of the state legislature. Within this period, they must secure membership in either the legislative assembly or the council.
The requirement follows rules governing dual membership, which mandate that a person elected to another legislative body must resign from their existing position within 14 days.
Alongside Nitish Kumar, Nitin Nabin has also been elected to the Rajya Sabha and is expected to resign from his position as an MLA within the same timeframe.
Officials said both leaders are likely to submit their resignations before the March 30 deadline, after which their terms as Rajya Sabha members will begin in April.
While Nitish Kumar’s transition to the upper house signals a shift in his political role, there has been no official confirmation on when he will step down as chief minister.
Under existing provisions, he may continue to hold the post for up to six months after ceasing to be a member of the state legislature, allowing time for a political transition.
The development has sparked speculation over future leadership in Bihar, though the ruling alliance has not announced any immediate changes.
