Patna, March 5 – Nitish Kumar, leader of the JD(U), announced on Thursday that he will be contesting the Rajya Sabha elections, effectively ending his tenure as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar.
Kumar, who has served as Chief Minister for a record 10 terms since 2005, stated that the new government that will be formed in the state will have his full cooperation and guidance.
"For over two decades, you have consistently placed your trust and support in me, and it is on that foundation that we have served Bihar and all of you with complete dedication. Your trust and support have enabled Bihar 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 beginning of his parliamentary journey, he wanted to serve in both Houses of the state legislature, as well as both Houses of Parliament.
"In line with this aspiration, I intend to be a member of the Rajya Sabha in these upcoming elections," he said.
"I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future, and my commitment to working together 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 last November, 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 virtually certain, according to the state legislature.
Since morning, a large number of JD(U) workers have been protesting outside the Chief Minister's residence, opposing Kumar's decision.
State Sunni Waqf Board Chairman Alhaj Mohammad Irshadullah, a JD(U) leader, said, "Party workers are unhappy with Nitish Kumar's decision to leave Bihar politics and go to the Rajya Sabha. When I learned about it, it was a shock. He should have remained the Chief Minister."
Reacting to Kumar's announcement, RJD leader Manoj Jha told
