Nitish Kumar, the supremo of Janata Dal (United), is set to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha today, sparking intense political activity in Bihar's capital, Patna. This move has led to growing speculation about his future as Bihar's Chief Minister and who might succeed him in the top post. Nitish Kumar, who was sworn in for a record 10th term as Chief Minister just a few months ago, is expected to submit his papers alongside other NDA candidates at around 11:30 am today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also scheduled to be in Patna, adding to the significance of the event.
Ahead of the nomination, Nitish Kumar took to social media to thank the people of Bihar for their support over the years. He expressed his gratitude, noting that his long tenure as Bihar CM was made possible by the trust of the people. He also reassured his supporters that despite moving to the Rajya Sabha, his commitment to Bihar's progress remains unwavering. This nomination is seen as a strategic move in the backdrop of Bihar's evolving political landscape.
The filing of nominations for Bihar's five Rajya Sabha seats has also led to closed-door meetings within the JD(U), with senior party leaders discussing future strategies. Along with Nitish Kumar, Union Minister Ramnath Thakur will also submit his nomination as JD(U)'s second candidate. The BJP has fielded its national president Nitin Nabin and Bihar unit general secretary Shivesh Kumar, while NDA ally Upendra Kushwaha is also contesting for a second term.
These developments come after the NDA's significant victory in the Bihar Assembly elections in November 2025, which saw Nitish Kumar continue as the Chief Minister. The political buzz around his Rajya Sabha move adds an intriguing layer to the situation, as speculation intensifies about whether he will step down as CM after the elections or if his role will evolve further. If Nitish Kumar is elected to the Rajya Sabha, he will join the rare group of leaders who have served in all four legislative forums – both Houses of the Bihar legislature and both Houses of Parliament.
