Nitish Kumar has resigned as the Chief Minister of Bihar, bringing to a close a landmark two-decade-long tenure that significantly shaped the state’s political landscape. His resignation marks a transition from state politics to a role at the national level.
A veteran leader who served as Chief Minister for a record ten terms since 2005, Kumar stepped down after being elected to the Rajya Sabha on March 16. As per constitutional provisions, one cannot simultaneously hold membership in both a state legislature and Parliament, making it necessary for him to resign from the Bihar Legislative Council and the chief minister’s post.
According to reports, he was sworn in as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha on April 10. Following his resignation, he is set to move from his official residence at 1 Anne Marg to 7 Circular Road.
Nitish Kumar’s political journey spans over five decades, beginning with his participation in the socialist movement in the 1970s. He gained prominence as a student leader during Total Revolution and was detained under MISA during the Emergency period.
He entered electoral politics in 1985 after winning from Harnaut in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, and later moved to national politics in 1989 when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Barh. Over the years, he held key Union Cabinet portfolios, including Railways, Agriculture, and Surface Transport, and is credited with reforms such as the introduction of online railway ticketing and the Tatkal system.
In 2000, he briefly served as Chief Minister for seven days in a hung assembly before stepping down. His return to power in 2005, in alliance with the BJP, marked a turning point in Bihar politics, focusing on law and order, infrastructure development, and welfare schemes like the bicycle programme for schoolgirls. This phase earned him the popular image of “Sushashan Babu.”
However, his political career has also been marked by frequent shifts in alliances. Over the years, he alternated between the BJP-led NDA and opposition coalitions, including the Mahagathbandhan, leading to multiple political realignments between 2013 and 2024. These shifts contributed to his image as a pragmatic yet unpredictable political strategist.
In the 2025 Assembly elections, the NDA secured a decisive mandate in Bihar, and Nitish Kumar took oath as Chief Minister for a record tenth time before stepping down.
Following his resignation, the NDA is expected to convene a legislative party meeting to choose a new leader. The swearing-in of the new Chief Minister and cabinet is likely to take place soon, possibly by April 15, 2026.
