New Delhi, April 10: Nitish Kumar took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha on April 10, marking a major transition in his political career and setting the stage for his exit from the post of Bihar Chief Minister. The move follows his unopposed election to the Upper House on March 16 and his subsequent resignation from the Bihar Legislative Council on March 30.
With his induction into the Rajya Sabha, Nitish Kumar joins a rare group of political leaders who have served across all four legislative platforms in India, the State Legislative Assembly, State Legislative Council, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The development is being viewed as a significant milestone in his decades-long public life.
Nitish Kumar arrived in New Delhi on April 9 to complete formalities related to his new role, accompanied by senior leaders Sanjay Jha and Vijay Kumar Choudhary. His shift to Parliament also brings an end to his long association with the Bihar Legislative Council, where he had been a member since 2006, serving consecutive terms until 2026 before stepping down.
Since assuming office as Chief Minister in November 2005, Nitish Kumar has largely remained a member of the Legislative Council rather than contesting Assembly elections. Although he had earlier been elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Harnaut in 1985 and served as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, his tenure as Chief Minister was anchored in the Upper House of the state legislature.
Following his resignation from the Legislative Council, constitutional provisions require him to step down from the Chief Minister’s post. Nitish Kumar has indicated that he will resign within a few days, paving the way for a new leadership arrangement in Bihar.
Explaining his decision, Nitish Kumar said he had completed significant work in Bihar and now intends to focus on responsibilities in New Delhi. He stated that he would step down from his current role and that new individuals would be appointed as Chief Minister and Ministers.
His transition to the Rajya Sabha signals a shift from state-level governance to a more active role in national politics. The move is expected to influence the political dynamics in Bihar, with leadership changes likely in the coming days.
Nitish Kumar’s political journey began in 1985 and has spanned legislative roles at both state and national levels. His entry into the Rajya Sabha marks the beginning of a new phase, with implications for governance in Bihar and his role in Parliament.
