Nitish Kumar to resign

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to resign from the state legislative council on Monday, March 30, following his election to the Rajya Sabha earlier this month, sources said.

This move will pave the way for the JD(U) supremo’s resignation from the Chief Minister post, allowing him to begin his term as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Confirming Nitish Kumar’s impending resignation as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), party colleague and Bihar lawmaker Anant Kumar Singh stated on Sunday that even as JD(U) cadre opposed the move, the CM had already made up his mind. “Yes, he is doing so. Everyone wanted the same (that he should not resign from the CM post), but he did not agree,” Singh said.

Did You Know? Nitish Kumar announced his decision to resign as CM on March 5, 2026, while expressing a long-held “desire to develop into a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature and both Houses of Parliament.”

The move comes amid speculation regarding Nitish Kumar’s reluctance to step down as Chief Minister to become a Rajya Sabha MP, a position some observers believe will diminish his influence. Earlier this week, RJD working president Tejashwi Yadav claimed that Nitish Kumar had “no wish” to get elected to the Rajya Sabha but was “forced” to do so by the BJP.

Yadav asserted that the BJP intends to “finish off” the JD(U). He stated, “Nitish Kumar may be the national president of the JD(U), but the party is now not run by him but a cabal that is hand in glove with the BJP.”

Expert Insight: Nitish Kumar’s transition to the Rajya Sabha marks a significant shift in Bihar’s political landscape. While he remains a national president of the JD(U), moving to the upper house of Parliament could potentially reduce his direct control over state-level politics and influence within the ruling coalition.

Nitish Kumar, who is the longest-serving CM of Bihar, filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha on March 5 accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and other NDA candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nitish Kumar planning to do?

Nitish Kumar is set to resign from the Bihar Legislative Council on Monday, March 30, and will begin his term as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Who confirmed Nitish Kumar’s resignation?

JD(U) MLA Anant Kumar Singh confirmed Nitish Kumar’s impending resignation as a Member of the Legislative Council.

What does Tejashwi Yadav claim about Nitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha election?

Tejashwi Yadav claimed that Nitish Kumar had “no wish” to get elected to the Rajya Sabha but was “forced” to do so at the instance of the BJP.

As Nitish Kumar prepares for a new role in national politics, what impact will his departure have on the political dynamics of Bihar?