Bihar is on the cusp of a major political transition, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar set to step down after chairing what is expected to be his final cabinet meeting on April 14.
As the clock ticks toward
his resignation, speculation has intensified over who will take charge of the state next.
Nitish Kumar has convened the cabinet at 11 am on Tuesday and is expected to submit his resignation to the Governor soon after.
Preparations for a formal transition are already under way, including plans for an official media briefing. Adding to the sense of finality, the outgoing chief minister has begun vacating his official residence on Circular Road in Patna.
With Kumar’s exit imminent, the spotlight has shifted to the Bharatiya Janata Party, the dominant partner in the NDA coalition. Despite being a long-time ally in government, the BJP has never held the chief minister’s post in Bihar, something that could now change.
The party emerged as the single-largest force in the 2025 assembly elections, winning 89 seats, while ally Janata Dal (United) secured 85. Together, the NDA swept 202 of the state’s 243 assembly seats, decisively sidelining the RJD-Congress-led Mahagathbandhan.
Senior BJP leaders, however, have remained guarded. Party sources say the decision will be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, with an announcement expected within days. JD(U) leaders have also avoided public speculation, saying clarity will emerge after April 14.
Frontrunner
Several names are doing the rounds within BJP circles as potential successors. However, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary is widely being seen as the frontrunner. A prominent Kushwaha leader, his elevation would strengthen the party’s OBC outreach.
Other names that are doing the rounds are:
Nityanand Rai: A Union minister and former state BJP president, Rai is a four-time MLA from Hajipur and brings both organisational experience and administrative exposure.
Dilip Kumar Jaiswal: A three-time MLC and former Bihar BJP chief, Jaiswal is considered a steady organisational hand.
Sanjay Jaiswal: The West Champaran MP since 2009 and a former state BJP president, he is seen as a sharp political strategist with strong links to the party’s central leadership.
Janak Ram: A Dalit face of the party, the former minister and ex-Gopalganj MP is known as a grassroots organiser and represents the Ravidas community.
The BJP is also known for springing surprises in leadership choices, keeping open the possibility of a new or less-expected face.
Dynastic Undertones
Adding another layer to the churn, JD(U) leaders are reportedly pushing for Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, who recently joined the party, to be accommodated as deputy chief minister, an attempt to preserve the Kumar legacy within the alliance.
As political activity intensifies, the BJP has appointed Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as its central observer for the election of the leader of its Bihar legislature party. Both the BJP and JD(U) have asked their MLAs to assemble in Patna ahead of crucial meetings.
