Name Not Finalised Yet: BJP CM in Place of Nitish!

The current government in Bihar is already a coalition in which the BJP is a partner. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is not known to settle for half-measures, is now reportedly implementing a strategy to install its own leader as the Chief Minister of Bihar.

Nitish Kumar, who is serving as Bihar’s Chief Minister for the tenth time, is likely to be moved to national politics. He is expected to file his nomination as an MP in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. The NDA alliance is likely to win 4–5 Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar.

In this backdrop, BJP national president Nitin Nabin is expected to enter the Rajya Sabha from the state. Along with him, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is also likely to file his nomination. His election would be a mere formality. After that, he is expected to resign from the Chief Minister’s post. There is growing speculation that a BJP leader will take over as the new Chief Minister.

Recently, there have also been reports that Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant—an engineering graduate—may enter politics. Nitish himself has confirmed this possibility. In the latest developments, there is speculation that once the Chief Minister’s post shifts from JD(U) to the BJP, Nishant may be appointed as Deputy Chief Minister. If this transition materialises, the BJP’s dominance in Bihar will further strengthen.

In the Bihar Assembly elections, the NDA alliance secured a decisive victory. The BJP emerged as the largest party in the coalition. In the 243-member Bihar Assembly, the ruling alliance currently holds 202 seats — an overwhelming majority. Within the alliance, the BJP has 89 seats, while Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) has 85.

Even without JD(U), the NDA’s strength would be 117. Securing the remaining five MLAs needed for a simple majority would not be difficult for the BJP, if required. Despite these numbers, during the elections, the NDA projected Nitish Kumar as their Chief Ministerial candidate and honoured that commitment by appointing him, even though he led the second-largest party in the alliance.

Now, even before four months have passed, the BJP appears to be executing its political strategy. By sending Nitish Kumar to the Rajya Sabha, the party is effectively consolidating its position. For 75-year-old Nitish Kumar, a move to the Rajya Sabha could signal the end of his long chapter in Bihar’s Assembly politics.