Who Could Be The Next CM Of Bihar? Nitish Kumar Set to File Rajya Sabha Nomination
Bihar’s political atmosphere is now experiencing its most intense activity. The longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar and JD(U) leader, Nitish Kumar, will make his Rajya Sabha nomination announcement at 11:30 am on Thursday, March 5, 2026. While the fresh ink on his documents marks the formal step, the real action is unfolding in Patna and across the state as political leaders jostle to determine who will succeed the man who has governed Bihar for the last three decades.
JD(U) supporters and BJP loyalists are engaged in a quiet power struggle, according to sources in the political corridors. Caste-based voting patterns and alliances among supporters of Samrat Choudhary, Sanjiv Chaurasiya, and Nityanand Rai are shaping their respective paths toward the Chief Minister’s chair. Meanwhile, Nishant Kumar, Nitish’s son, is emerging as a new force in Bihar politics, signaling a potential break from the state’s long-standing “no-dynasty” tradition.
After the NDA’s resounding victory in 2025, Bihar is poised for a new political phase, with the alliance asserting its dominance.
Nitish Kumar’s Chair in Question: Who Will Take the Hot Seat – BJP or JD(U)?
Sanjiv Chaurasiya
The Digha MLA of Patna, Sanjiv Chaurasiya, secured his third consecutive victory in 2025 because his presence in political life has remained strong. His educational qualifications include a PhD degree, and his previous experience as an assistant professor helps him connect with people in his community. The BJP considers him an experienced member who could present an unexpected challenge to traditional political processes through his potential claim for the CM position.
Other BJP Leaders Mentioned
Giriraj Singh serves as a Union Minister known for his unpredictable nature and outspoken behavior. His firebrand personality makes him a potential dark horse candidate for the CM post.
Vijay Kumar Sinha serves as Deputy Chief Minister while also being a former Assembly Speaker. He combines legislative experience with a composed personality, making him a steady contender.
Nityanand Rai
Nityanand Rai serves as the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and represents Hajipur as a former MLA. He leads the Yadav faction within the BJP in Bihar. As a former state president, he helped strategize NDA victories. Amit Shah often projects him as a potential CM candidate who can connect with specific caste groups while enjoying national-level support.
Samrat Choudhary
Samrat Choudhary is Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and also serves as Home Minister. He leads the BJP’s outreach in OBC politics, particularly in Koeri-Kushwaha (Luv-Kush) regions. Former state BJP president and ex-leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council, he is widely regarded as the leading candidate to succeed Nitish Kumar if the latter steps down.
Countdown To Rajya Sabha 2026: Key Dates And State-Wise Polling Schedule
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Notification issued | February 26, 2026 | Official announcement of upcoming Rajya Sabha elections |
| Last date of nominations | March 5, 2026 | Candidates must file their nomination papers by this date |
| Scrutiny of nominations | March 6, 2026 | Election authorities review nominations for validity |
| Withdrawal of nominations | March 9, 2026 | Candidates can withdraw their nominations by this date |
| Polling | March 16, 2026 | Elections for 37 seats across 10 states will be conducted |
| Counting of votes | March 16, 2026, 5:00 pm | Votes will be counted and results declared |
| Seats vacated in | N/A | Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana |
Post-Nitish Era? Bihar’s 2025 Assembly Shake-Up and the Rise of the BJP
The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections resulted in a complete upheaval of the state political system. The NDA achieved a massive electoral victory, winning 202 out of 243 seats, whereas the BJP secured its largest presence in Bihar with 89 MLAs. Nitish Kumar established himself as the dominant politician by winning almost every seat in the election. PM Narendra Modi publicly supported him, calling him a foundation of governance, which led to a meme and social media trolling phenomenon claiming that Nitish would serve as Bihar’s CM for eternity.
The political theatre has created an atmosphere of excitement. The CM’s chair is likely to become available as internal ambitions grow while current alliances undergo their trial period. A leadership change could produce extensive effects throughout state governance, impacting everything from the enforcement of Bihar’s liquor prohibition to the management of coalition agreements. The political landscape of Bihar is preparing for power struggles, involving last-minute negotiations and unexpected developments driven by caste relationships and party allegiance.
The next significant development in the state’s governance story becomes visible through every headline, meme, or tweet that people engage with daily. In Bihar, political events often evolve into full-blown public entertainment experiences.
(With Inputs)
Read More: Is Nitish Kumar Stepping Down? Reports Of Bihar CM Heading To Rajya Sabha…
Aishwarya is a journalism graduate with over three years of experience thriving in the buzzing corporate media world. She’s got a knack for decoding business news, tracking the twists and turns of the stock market, covering the masala of the entertainment world, and sometimes her stories come with just the right sprinkle of political commentary. She has worked with several organizations, interned at ZEE and gained professional skills at TV9 and News24, And now is learning and writing at NewsX, she’s no stranger to the newsroom hustle. Her storytelling style is fast-paced, creative, and perfectly tailored to connect with both the platform and its audience. Moto: Approaching every story from the reader’s point of view, backing up her insights with solid facts.
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