Nitish Kumar files nomination papers for Rajya Sabha, ending 20 years as Bihar CM
Marking the end of an era, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, March 5, 2026. He was accompanied by four other candidates of the ruling National Democratic Alliance, including BJP national president Nitin Nabin, who filed papers for the five vacant Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar on April 9.
While the opposition derided Mr Kumar for being a “puppet of the BJP”, accusing him of betraying the electoral mandate, rumors began buzzing within the NDA about who would replace him in Patna, with discussions about giving the Janata Dal (United) chief’s son the role of Acting CM under a BJP CM.
Confirming speculations about the end of his 20-year rule in Bihar with a post on social media, Mr Kumar declared that he “desires in his heart” to become a member of both Houses of Parliament. He said he was now “seeking” to become a member of the Rajya Sabha as he was earlier a Lok Sabha MP.
NDA sources told the news agency PTI He said it would take a few weeks for Mr. Kumar to leave the post of CM, where he is likely to remain in office until he travels to the national capital to take oath as MP.
‘Spotless, golden tenure’
After all five NDA candidates filed their nomination papers, Mr. Shah praised Mr. Kumar’s tenure in Bihar as “spotless, memorable and golden”. He added: “Nitish Kumar ji will be remembered for his glorious work for the development of the State.”
Apart from Mr Kumar and Mr Nabin, the other NDA candidates are former BJP MLA Shivesh Kumar, JD(U) leader and Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ram Nath Thakur and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha. Both Mr Thakur and Mr Kushwaha are seeking re-election to the Upper House.
NDA buzz
Although there were rumors that Mr Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar would officially join the JD(U) on Thursday, there was no confirmation from the party. “Chief Minister Nitish Kumar wants Nishant Kumar to join the party as a separate event,” said a JD(U) source.
After Mr. Kumar senior shifted his political base to Delhi, his son is expected to be appointed as one of the two Deputy Chief Ministers of the JD(U) under a new regime in Bihar led by a Chief Minister from the BJP for the first time. Among those making the rounds for the top job are current Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and Bihar Industries Minister Dilip Jaiswal. Some NDA leaders claimed that Mr Kumar “will continue to guide and lead the NDA in Bihar”.
JD(U) workers protested
A section of JD(U) workers protested Mr. Kumar’s decision in front of his official residence and party headquarters in Patna, chanting slogans: “Nitish Kumar zindabad“, And “Hum Nitish Kumar ko Bihar nahi chhodne balance (We will not let Nitish Kumar leave Bihar)”. Some of the protesting party workers overturned furniture at the party headquarters, but police were deployed there to prevent further unrest at the Bihar legislative assembly and the CM’s residence.
“We became brave slat To make Nitish Kumar the Chief Minister of the State,” said an emotional JD-U worker outside the CM’s 1, Anne Marg residence.
‘Betrayal of duty’
Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav mocked Mr Kumar’s decision. “I express my sympathy for Nitish Kumar ji. He was kidnapped by the BJP leaders… His mental condition is not good, he said. “JD-U’s core voters feel cheated. “This is a betrayal of authority.”
He also accused the BJP of usurping power in the state. “The Maharashtra model has been implemented in Bihar too. It is well known that the BJP has swept away its alliance partners in many places,” Mr. Yadav told reporters in Patna. “Whoever becomes the new Chief Minister of Bihar, he will be the hallmark of the BJP,” he added. His sister Rohini Acharya, in a post on social media, alleged that Mr Kumar had become a “puppet of the BJP” and described his actions as the “peak of opportunism”.
RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha drew parallels between Mr Nitish Kumar and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was captured by US forces earlier this year. “What is happening here is similar to the kidnapping in Venezuela with Maduro’s consent,” he said.
Congress State spokesperson Asit Nath Tiwari also came down strongly on Mr. Kumar’s decision, citing the NDA’s slogan during last year’s Assembly elections. “25.Season 30 on Nitish… Hello Nipat gaye in 2026 Nitish (From 2025 to 2030, once again Nitish Kumar, [they said]… But he was destroyed in 2026,” he said.
It was published – 06 March 2026 02:59 IST
