Kumar Bahukhandi
Who will the BJP appoint as the new Chief Minister after Nitish Kumar? (Photo: X)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to resign from his membership in the Legislative Council on Monday; however, suspense continues to surround the question of whether he will step down from the post of Chief Minister. The issue of Nitish’s political successor remains unresolved; the key question is whom the BJP will appoint as the new Chief Minister—a candidate acceptable to the JDU as well.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may resign from his membership in the Bihar Legislative Council today—Monday—though uncertainty persists regarding his departure from the Chief Minister’s chair. Following his election as a member of the Rajya Sabha, parliamentary rules mandate that he must relinquish his membership in the Legislative Council. Even after resigning from his position as an MLC, Nitish Kumar is legally permitted to continue serving as Chief Minister for a period of six months; however, the real battle lies in determining his political successor. Will the BJP be compelled to make an immediate decision?
According to parliamentary regulations, if an individual is elected as a member of one legislative house while already holding membership in another, they are required to resign from one of the two houses within 14 days. Failure to do so results in the automatic forfeiture of membership in the second house.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar currently serves as a member of the Bihar Legislative Council and has simultaneously been elected to the Rajya Sabha. Consequently, Nitish Kumar is expected to resign from his position as an MLC while retaining his membership in the Rajya Sabha. Given this scenario, the pivotal question remains: when will he resign from the Chief Minister’s post? Will he step down from the office of CM, or will he attempt to strike a balance between both roles?
Nitish Kumar to Resign as MLC
Since his election as a member of the Rajya Sabha, all eyes have been fixed on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s next move. Following his victory in the Rajya Sabha elections on March 16, the lingering suspense surrounding Nitish’s political future now appears to be drawing to a close. As per parliamentary rules, it is mandatory for him to resign from either the Legislative Council (MLC) or the Rajya Sabha by March 30. This is precisely why he has decided to retain his membership in the Rajya Sabha and has opted to resign from the Legislative Council.
On Sunday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met with Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (alias Lalan Singh), Bihar’s Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Rural Works Minister Ashok Chaudhary, JD(U) Working President Sanjay Jha, and Mokama MLA Anant Singh. Emerging from the meeting with the Chief Minister, Anant Singh stated that while people are attempting to persuade him otherwise, he remains firm in his decision and will proceed with his resignation. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to resign from his position as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) on Monday.
Nitish Can Still Remain CM for Six Months
According to the Constitution, a person elected to the Rajya Sabha must relinquish their membership in the state legislature within 14 days. Consequently, Nitish Kumar is required to resign from the Legislative Council; had he failed to do so, one of his memberships would have automatically stood cancelled. Even after stepping down as an MLC, Nitish Kumar can continue to occupy the Chief Minister’s chair. A Member of Parliament (MP) is eligible to serve as Chief Minister, provided they secure membership in the state legislature within six months.
Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar stated that, in accordance with the Constitution, an individual may serve as the Chief Minister of Bihar for up to six months without holding an elected seat in the state legislature. Nitish Kumar is required to resign only from his membership in the Legislative Council, not from the post of Chief Minister. Should he choose to do so, he may continue to serve as CM for the next six months. Despite this option, Nitish has now decided to shift his focus to national politics in Delhi.
The BJP Must Make an Immediate Decision
With Nitish’s resignation from the Legislative Council, the process of selecting his political successor is set to gain momentum. Political corridors are abuzz with various speculations regarding the identity of the next Chief Minister. BJP leader and current Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary is considered one of the leading contenders for the top post; however, the BJP has a history of springing surprises with its decisions. For this reason, it is difficult to predict any single name with absolute certainty.
Meanwhile, speculations are also circulating regarding Nishant Kumar. Deliberations are currently underway regarding the potential balance of power and the formation of new political equations; this transition is expected to signify a shift not merely in leadership, but in overall strategy as well. This decision could also determine the future trajectory of the NDA. Some JDU leaders view his son, Nishant Kumar, as the rightful successor. They believe that Nishant possesses all the necessary qualities to become the Chief Minister. Political analysts also suggest that once Nitish Kumar becomes a member of the Rajya Sabha, his role may become merely ceremonial.
The Game Entangled in JDU’s Maneuvers
The BJP is hopeful that Nitish Kumar will step down from the Chief Minister’s post following the conclusion of his ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ (Prosperity Journey). Contrary to the BJP’s expectations, however, JDU leaders are currently taking their time. Seizing this opportunity, the JDU is engaging in strategic maneuvers and insisting that it be taken into full confidence regarding the selection of Nitish’s successor.
The JDU has made it clear that it does not wish to adopt a strategy similar to those employed in Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan, where the BJP’s central leadership surprised everyone by appointing relatively lesser-known leaders as Chief Ministers. While speculation abounds regarding a dozen potential names from the BJP camp, the JDU has unequivocally stated that Nitish Kumar’s successor must be someone of his own choosing.
Who Will Carry Forward Nitish’s Legacy?
Bihar’s new Chief Minister will have to carry forward Nitish Kumar’s legacy and adhere to his political style and methods.
The JD(U) maintains that it does not wish to allow the government’s social coalition to unravel. The party also seeks a leader capable of winning the trust of Nishant Kumar, who is now fully active in state politics. Bihar is not Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan—states where the BJP surprised everyone with its choice of Chief Ministerial candidates.
In Bihar, socialist ideology and the political roots of the OBCs run deep. Furthermore, Bihar is governed by an NDA coalition that includes allies such as the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha. These NDA allies require a leader who can fully retain their confidence.
The JD(U) has signaled that if the party is called upon to assume the role of a coalition partner, it will insist on a reshuffle of the current ministerial portfolios and lay claim to the Speaker’s post. However, in the wake of Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha, the BJP’s Vinod Tawde is currently holding discussions with the JD(U) regarding the formation of the new government. Under these circumstances, it remains to be seen who will ultimately carry forward Nitish Kumar’s legacy.
