Nitish Kumar Resigns As MLC: In a dramatic shift in Bihar's political landscape, Nitish Kumar, the state’s longest-serving Chief Minister and the leader of Janata Dal (United), has resigned from his membership in the Bihar Legislative Council (MLC), signalling a potential turning point in the state’s governance.
With Kumar stepping down from the Legislative Council, questions are now swirling about who will succeed him in leading the new government, which is set to take shape after the JD(U) president vacates the seat of power.
Kumar, who turned 75 on March 1, surprised everyone a week later when he announced his decision to enter the Rajya Sabha, signalling his intent to end his tenure as Chief Minister just four months after securing a fresh mandate in the Assembly polls.
When Is Nitish Kumar Expected To Resign As Bihar CM?
According to a PTI report, close aides of the leader have, for some time, been making cryptic remarks about a constitutional provision that allows a person to "remain the chief minister for up to six months after ceasing to be a member of the state legislature".
These statements, made by senior ministers like Shravan Kumar, have fuelled speculation that the JD(U), which has only four fewer MLAs than the BJP, could drive a hard bargain before allowing its alliance partner to stake a claim for the top post.
However, according to PTI citing sources, the NDA believes it is unlikely that Kumar, who may be sworn in as a Rajya Sabha MP early next month, will remain in power for that long. They are of the view that a change of guard could take place "only after Kharmaas", an inauspicious month in the Hindu calendar that ends on April 14.
Kharmaas is a month-long period in the Hindu calendar, occurring twice a year when the Sun transits Sagittarius or Pisces. During this time, auspicious activities such as weddings, housewarmings and new ventures are avoided, and the period is instead considered suitable for worship, meditation and charity.
Who Could Replace Nitish Kumar?
At the same time, as the search for a new leader heats up, the Bhartiya Janata Party is clearly excited about the possibility of finally getting its “own” chief minister in Bihar. This is especially significant given that the state has remained elusive for the BJP despite the party being a key member of the ruling coalition for almost two decades.
The leading contender seems to be Samrat Choudhary, the current deputy chief minister who also holds the crucial home portfolio.
Choudhary belongs to the Koeri community, a significant OBC group in Bihar. Unlike the Yadavs, who strongly support Lalu Prasad’s RJD, or the Kurmis, who have long been aligned with Nitish Kumar, the Koeris haven’t firmly attached themselves to any one political party.
Choudhary is a Koeri, a numerically significant OBC group that has not traditionally aligned with any particular party, unlike the Yadavs, who are loyal to Lalu Prasad's RJD, or the Kurmis, who support Nitish Kumar.
According to PTI, citing sources, the BJP admits that by making a Koeri the CM, the party could secure long-term support from this dominant OBC group. Additionally, it would help dispel the perception that the BJP is a "pro-upper caste" political force, a disadvantage in a state like Bihar, where politics has been shaped by the Mandal agitation of the 1990s.
Another name making the rounds is Nityanand Rai, a former BJP state president and Union minister of state for home. Rai, who is said to enjoy the backing of Amit Shah, is considered a strong contender for the top job.
Reports suggest that the new Chief Minister will likely be announced at a legislative party meeting, which will be held when the time is right. But it’s widely expected that the decision will be made by the BJP leadership in Delhi, as has been seen in other states.
Meanwhile, JD(U) is making it clear that it will be pushing for "a fair share" in the new cabinet. Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, who recently joined the party, is expected to be groomed for the Deputy Chief Minister’s position.