Overview
- Nitish Kumar filed Rajya Sabha nomination papers in Patna on March 5 in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah, confirming he will vacate the chief minister’s post once elected.
- BJP president Nitin Nabin also submitted papers as the NDA lined up candidates for all five Bihar seats scheduled for the March 16 poll.
- Nitish said the incoming state government would have his full cooperation and guidance as he pursues a long-stated goal of serving in all four legislative bodies.
- JD(U) workers staged protests outside the chief minister’s residence over his move, underscoring internal strain as the party confronts a post-Nitish transition.
- BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Nityanand Rai are being discussed as leading contenders for the top job, while reports suggest Nitish’s son Nishant may enter politics, though any role remains unconfirmed.