Nitish Kumar Moves To Rajya Sabha: From JP Movement To Longest-Serving CM, A Look At Sushasan Babu's Political Journey

Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced a major shift in his political journey. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kumar said he would move to the Rajya Sabha, signalling a new phase in his nearly five-decade-long political career.

Widely known as 'Sushasan Babu', Kumar has repeatedly demonstrated his political acumen, repositioning himself and his party, Janata Dal (United), at the centre of the state's politics despite changing political equations.

Therefore, his decision to move to the Rajya Sabha is being viewed not merely as a personal transition but as a strategic move that could reshape the state's leadership dynamics in the coming months.

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All About Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar was born on March 1, 1951, in Bakhtiyarpur to Kaviraj Ram Lakhan Singh and Parmeshwari Devi. He earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from Bihar College of Engineering (now NIT Patna) in 1972. A year later, he got married to Manju Kumari Sinha, a schoolteacher. The couple had a son, Nishant Kumar.

Nitish Kumar's Political Career

- 1970s: Entered politics during the JP Movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan.

- 1977: Contested the first Assembly election with the Janata Party but lost.

- 1985: Won his first Assembly election.

- 1989: Elected to the ninth Lok Sabha and served as the Union Agriculture Minister. He was re-elected in 1991.

- 1994: Kumar resigned from Janata Dal after differences with RJD supremo Lalu Yadav and co-founded the Samata Party with George Fernandes.

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- 1998-2004: Held key portfolios under the NDA government at the Centre, including Railways (1998-1999, 2001-2004), Surface Transport (1998-1999), and Agriculture (1999-2000).

- 1999: Resigned as Railway Minister following the Gaisal train disaster.

- 2000: Became Bihar Chief Minister for the first time, but resigned within a week due to a lack of majority.

- 2003: Samata Party merged with Janata Dal (United).

- 2005: JD(U)-BJP coalition defeated RJD in 2005, and Kumar became Chief Minister for his first full term.

- 2010: Re-elected with a landslide win and theJD(U)-BJP coalition reduced RJD to 22 seats.

- 2013: Ended alliance with BJP over Narendra Modi’s prime ministerial nomination.

- 2015: Formed the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) with RJD and Congress and clinched victory in the 2015 state elections, news agency PTI reported.

- 2017: Broke ties with RJD over corruption charges against Tejashwi Yadav; rejoined NDA and returned as Chief Minister.

- 2020: Led the NDA to another victory, retaining the Chief Minister’s post.

- 2022: Kumar resigned, left NDA and rejoined Mahagathbandhan, forming a new coalition government.

- 2024: Resigned from Mahagathbandhan, rejoined NDA, and was sworn in as Chief Minister for the ninth time.

- 2025: In the 2025 Assembly elections, the Janata Dal (United) led by Nitish Kumar secured 85 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party won 89. Following the victory, Nitish Kumar took oath as Chief Minister for a record 10th time in November last year.