Nitish Kumar is likely to step down as the Chief Minister of Bihar on April 8 or 9 as part of a planned political transition that will see him move to the Rajya Sabha, according to sources.
Sources said
Kumar will also resign from the Bihar Legislative Council before taking oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha. He is expected to be formally elected to the Upper House on March 16, following which the leadership transition in the state will move forward.
The selection of a new Chief Minister of Bihar is likely to take place after March 16, sources indicated.
As part of the proposed arrangement within the ruling alliance, Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar is expected to be appointed Deputy Chief Minister. In addition, the Janata Dal (United) is likely to have another Deputy Chief Minister in the new government formation.
Sources added that the Home portfolio will remain with the Bharatiya Janata Party in the next government configuration.
Last week, Kumar filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha from Bihar, a move that triggered speculation about a possible leadership transition in the state. The nomination came with the backing of the ruling alliance in the state, with the Janata Dal (United) and its ally Bharatiya Janata Party supporting his candidature for the Upper House seat. With the coalition enjoying a comfortable majority in the state legislature, Kumar’s election to the Rajya Sabha is widely seen as a formality.
