Nitish Kumar to resign as Bihar CM, set to join Rajya Sabha amid protests

Putting all speculation to rest, JD(U) president Nitish Kumar has confirmed that he will resign as Bihar Chief Minister and move to the Rajya Sabha after more than two decades in office. In a post on X, Kumar said he has long aspired to serve as a member of both Houses of Parliament as well as both Houses of the state legislature. Having previously been a Lok Sabha MP, an MLA, and an MLC, a term in the Rajya Sabha would complete the set of legislative positions in his political career.

Also read | Is Nitish Kumar heading to Rajya Sabha? Speculation rife over what next in Bihar

"For the past two decades, you have trusted and supported me, and I have served you with full dedication. It is your trust and support due to which Bihar is setting new standards in development," he wrote. "Since the beginning of my parliamentary career, I had a desire in my heart to become a member of both Houses of state legislature, as well as both Houses of Parliament. That's why I want to become a Rajya Sabha MP in the upcoming election," Kumar wrote. "I assure you that my relationship with you will continue, and I will keep working for a developed Bihar. The new government will enjoy my full support and guidance."

Angry supporters stage protest

Earlier, angry supporters gathered outside Nitish Kumar’s residence in Patna, alleging a conspiracy to remove him from the state’s political scene amid speculation over his Rajya Sabha nomination. They raised slogans in support of Kumar and tried to block the vehicles of JD(U) legislators from entering the residence.

JD(U) leader Rajeev Ranjan Patel, who led the supporters, said they wanted Kumar to remain as the chief minister and opposed any move to send him to the Rajya Sabha. “Bihar voted in his name. We want his son Nishant to go to the Rajya Sabha,” he said.

Another supporter claimed there was a conspiracy to remove Kumar as chief minister and warned that JD(U) workers would take to the streets if it happened. “We would not allow him to go to the Rajya Sabha,” he said.

Also read | Nitish Kumar's son Nishant to join politics, formal announcement soon: JD(U) leader

Patel added that party workers had canvassed for Kumar just months ago and stressed that the public expects him to continue as chief minister. “If someone wants to change the chief minister, they should hold elections and secure a majority. Our demand is only that Nishant be sent to the Rajya Sabha,” he said.

JD(U) lawmaker Sanjay Singh echoed Patel, saying that while the final decision rests with Kumar, the people of Bihar want him to continue as the state’s chief minister. Reports suggest that a section of JD(U) legislators and some ministers are also unhappy with the prospect of Kumar moving to the Rajya Sabha.

Betrayal of people's mandate: Cong

With Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announcing that he will be contesting the Rajya Sabha polls, the Congress on Thursday said a "leadership coup and regime change orchestrated by G2" has taken place and is a "huge betrayal" of the mandate of the people.

Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "What the Indian National Congress had been saying often during the Bihar election campaign has now come to pass. A leadership coup and regime change orchestrated by G2 has taken place. It is, in many ways, a huge betrayal of the mandate of the people."