Nitish Kumar set to quit Bihar Legislative Council ahead of Rajya Sabha stint

Nitish Kumar is expected to resign from the state legislative council on Monday, March 30, weeks after being elected to the Rajya Sabha, sources said.

The move is likely to pave the way for his exit as Chief Minister of Bihar, allowing him to begin his new role in Parliament.

Confirming the development, JD(U) MLA Anant Kumar Singh said party members were opposed to Kumar stepping down but that the veteran leader had already made up his mind.

The development comes amid speculation that Kumar was reluctant to leave the top post in Bihar, with critics arguing that a shift to the Rajya Sabha could diminish both his political influence and that of his party, the Janata Dal (United).

His political rival, Tejashwi Yadav, has alleged that Kumar was “forced” into the move by the Bharatiya Janata Party, claiming it is part of a strategy to weaken the JD(U).

Kumar, the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar, was elected to the Rajya Sabha earlier this month. He had previously expressed a desire to serve in both state and national legislatures, announcing plans to step down as CM on March 5.