By Kanchan Choudhary
Patna | March 5, 2026 :: In a major development in Bihar politics, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to file his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha biennial elections today, March 5, which is the last date for filing nominations.
According to multiple media reports — and other sources — Nitish Kumar may submit his nomination around 11:30 AM in Patna, possibly in the presence of several senior NDA leaders.
If confirmed, the move could signal a significant transition in Bihar’s political landscape, with the 75-year-old leader shifting to national politics in New Delhi after decades of state leadership.
End of Nitish Kumar’s 10th Term as Chief Minister?
Sources indicate that after filing his nomination, Nitish Kumar may step down as Chief Minister either shortly after the nomination process or following the Rajya Sabha election results scheduled for March 16, 2026.
If this happens, it would mark the end of Nitish Kumar’s historic tenth term as Bihar Chief Minister, which began after the 2025 Assembly elections.
The development could also pave the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—the largest party within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar—to install its first Chief Minister under the current alliance arrangement.
Rajya Sabha Elections: Seat Distribution
A total of five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar are going to polls as the current members’ terms end in April 2026.
Given the NDA’s strong numbers in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the alliance is aiming for a clean sweep of all five seats.
Candidates Announced / Expected
BJP (2 seats)
Nitin Nabin – BJP national president
Shivesh Kumar – Former MLA, representing Scheduled Caste background
JD(U) (2 seats expected)
Ramnath Thakur – sitting Rajya Sabha MP likely to be re-nominated
Nitish Kumar – reportedly being considered for the second seat
(Alternative name being discussed: JD(U) national general secretary Manish Verma)
Remaining Seat
May go to an NDA ally such as Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM).
Opposition’s Chances Slim
The Mahagathbandhan alliance, led by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, along with smaller parties like BSP and AIMIM, would need near-perfect unity and cross-support to win even one seat, which political observers say appears unlikely given the current arithmetic in the Assembly.
Succession Buzz and Nishant Kumar Factor
Earlier speculation had suggested that Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar could formally enter politics through a Rajya Sabha seat or a senior role in the Bihar government.
Nishant, an engineering graduate in his 40s, recently received Nitish Kumar’s public approval to join active politics, triggering celebrations among JD(U) workers.
If Nitish Kumar moves to Delhi, Nishant Kumar could potentially be given an important role in the Bihar government, possibly even as Deputy Chief Minister, to maintain the party’s influence in state politics.
Possible BJP Chief Minister Candidates
In the event of Nitish Kumar’s resignation, the BJP may push for its first Chief Minister in Bihar within the NDA framework.
Names being discussed include:
Samrat Choudhary – Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister
Nityanand Rai – Union Minister of State for Home Affairs
Sanjiv Chaurasiya – senior BJP leader close to central leadership
Mixed Reactions within NDA
While JD(U) supporters are enthusiastic about Nishant Kumar’s entry, some party insiders worry that Nitish Kumar moving to Delhi could weaken JD(U)’s grassroots strength in Bihar.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Giriraj Singh has dismissed the reports as “Holi jokes”, stating that Nitish Kumar remains firmly the Chief Minister. However, no formal clarification has been issued by Nitish Kumar or the JD(U) leadership so far.
High-Level Political Activity in Patna
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several senior BJP leaders are expected to be in or around Patna today, signaling intense NDA coordination amid evolving political equations following the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, where the BJP emerged as the senior partner in the alliance.
What to Watch Next
If Nitish Kumar files his Rajya Sabha nomination today, the following developments may unfold in the coming days:
Announcement of Nitish Kumar’s resignation timeline
Selection of Bihar’s next Chief Minister
Possible entry of Nishant Kumar into active politics Finalization of NDA Rajya Sabha candidates. The coming days could therefore reshape the power dynamics in Bihar politics and the NDA alliance structure.
(The views expressed are solely those of the author.)
