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New Delhi: After weeks of political uncertainty, Bihar is set for a major leadership change as Nitish Kumar is likely to resign as Chief Minister on April 14. The move comes days after he took oath as a Rajya Sabha MP on April 10, signalling the end of his long tenure at the helm of the state.

April 14 holds strong symbolic value. It marks the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar, a key figure in India’s Constitution and a major icon for Dalit communities. The date also coincides with the end of Kharmas, a period considered inauspicious for major decisions in parts of eastern India, including Bihar.

End of a long political era

Nitish Kumar’s exit will mark the close of a political era that began in 2005. He has been Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister and one of its most influential leaders. He entered politics in 1985 and later served as a Union minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

He has credited himself with ending what he called the “jungle raj” of the RJD and focusing on development. However, his political journey also saw shifting alliances, including a return to partnership with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s party.

His move to the Rajya Sabha is historic. He becomes the first sitting Chief Minister to shift to the Upper House of Parliament. He resigned from the Bihar Legislative Council on March 30 to meet legal requirements.

BJP prepares for leadership shift

With Nitish Kumar stepping aside, the BJP is set to claim the Chief Minister’s post in Bihar for the first time. The party emerged as the single-largest in the 2025 Assembly elections with 89 seats, while JD(U) secured 85. The NDA won a total of 202 out of 243 seats.

Several names are in contention for the top post. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is seen as a leading candidate, given his strong support among OBC voters. Union minister Nityanand Rai is also being considered, along with BJP leader Dilip Kumar Jaiswal.

Political equations and family factor

There are also internal discussions within JD(U) about promoting Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, as a possible Deputy Chief Minister. This could help maintain the party’s influence within the alliance.

The Opposition, led by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, has criticised the NDA government, accusing it of creating instability in the state. He claimed that Bihar has not had a cabinet meeting for nearly two months. As April 14 approaches, Bihar is preparing for a major political shift that could reshape its leadership and power structure.