Even as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar filed his nomination for Rajya Sabha and thanked the people for their support, speculations started doing the rounds in political circles that he may end his tenure as the longest serving Chief Minister of the State. Though a definitive word did not emerge on the issue, Janta Dal (United) supporters started protesting possible decision to quit State politics. Kumar filed nomination along with BJP President Nitin Nabin in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the office of Assembly Secretary Khyati Singh. Kumar announced his decision to enter the Rajya Sabha earlier in the day. For Nabin, who was appointed the BJP President earlier this year, this will be his first stint in Parliament. He was a member of the legislative council. Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha were present when the nominations were filed. Kumar, who has been the Chief Minister for a record 10 terms since 2005, said the new Government that will be formed in the State will have his full cooperation and guidance. “For more than two decades, you have consistently placed your trust and support in me, and it is on the strength of that trust that we have served Bihar and all of you with complete dedication. It was the power of your trust and support that has enabled Bihar today to present a new dimension of development and dignity,” he said in a post on X, expressing gratitude to the people of the State. Kumar said that from the very beginning of his parliamentary journey, he wanted to become a member of both Houses of the state legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament.

 

“In keeping with this aspiration, I seek multilateral system to reflect the current geopolitical realities. to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time,” he said. “I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and my resolve to work together with you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast. The new Government that will be formed will have my full cooperation and guidance,” he added. With Kumar stepping down after leading the ruling NDA to a landslide victory in the Assembly elections held in November last year, a BJP leader is expected to take over the top post. If that happens, Bihar will get its first BJP Chief Minister -- the only Hindi heartland State where the party has not held the office so far. Five Rajya Sabha seats from the State will go to the polls on March 16, and the filing of nomination papers will close on Thursday. Kumar’s election to the Upper House of Parliament is all but certain, as per the tally in the State legislature. Since morning, a large number of JD(U) workers have been demonstrating outside the CM’s residence, protesting Kumar’s decision. State Sunni Waqf Board chairman Alhaj Mohammad Irshadullah, a JD(U) leader, said, “Party workers are not happy with Nitish Kumar’s decision to leave Bihar politics and go to Rajya Sabha. When I came to know about it, it was a shocker for me. He should have remained the CM”. Reacting to Kumar’s announcement, RJD leader Manoj Jha told PTI Video, “After reading the tweet, it is guaranteed that he has not dictated or written this. It came from Delhi. The core of JD(U) is hurt by this....”