Politics – Rabri Devi Claims BJP Forcing Nitish Kumar Out of Bihar Leadership
Politics – A fresh political debate has emerged in Bihar after Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Rabri Devi alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is attempting to sideline Chief Minister Nitish Kumar from state politics. Her remarks come soon after Kumar submitted his nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections, triggering discussions about a possible shift in Bihar’s political leadership.
Rabri Devi suggested that Nitish Kumar’s move to the Upper House should not be viewed as a voluntary step away from state politics. Instead, she claimed it reflects growing pressure from the BJP, which currently holds a stronger position within the National Democratic Alliance following its significant electoral success in 2025.
Rabri Devi Raises Questions Over Nitish Kumar’s Move
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Rabri Devi alleged that the BJP is effectively pushing Nitish Kumar out of Bihar’s political scene. She argued that the Chief Minister should continue serving the state rather than shifting his focus to national politics through a Rajya Sabha seat.
According to her, the development signals a deeper political strategy within the NDA alliance. She claimed that the BJP, now the dominant partner in the coalition, may be positioning itself to take control of the Chief Minister’s post in the future.
Her comments have intensified political exchanges in the state, with opposition parties closely watching how the leadership dynamics within the alliance evolve in the coming weeks.
Nitish Kumar Files Rajya Sabha Nomination
The controversy surfaced shortly after Nitish Kumar filed his nomination papers in Patna for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. The nomination took place in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, highlighting the significance of the development within the NDA framework.
Alongside Kumar, several other alliance candidates also filed nominations for the Upper House. Among them were Upendra Kushwaha and Bihar BJP president Nitin Nabin, both representing key components of the ruling alliance.
Nitish Kumar, who has served as Bihar’s Chief Minister for more than two decades across multiple terms, had earlier announced his intention to contest the Rajya Sabha election during the current cycle.
Nitish Kumar Promises Continued Support to Bihar
Following his decision, Kumar issued a message assuring people of Bihar that his commitment to the state remains unchanged. In a statement shared on social media platform X, he expressed his desire to continue contributing to Bihar’s development even after entering the Rajya Sabha.
The 75-year-old leader said his relationship with the people of Bihar would remain strong and that he would continue supporting the new government that takes charge in the state. Kumar also stated that he would provide guidance and cooperation to the upcoming administration.
His announcement has been interpreted by political observers as a sign of a broader transition within Bihar’s leadership structure.
Rajya Sabha Elections Scheduled for March 16
The biennial elections for the Rajya Sabha are scheduled to be held on March 16. Voting and the counting of ballots will both take place on the same day, with results expected to be declared by 5 pm.
A total of 37 seats from ten states will be contested in this election cycle. These seats will become vacant in April as the terms of current members come to an end.
The states involved in the upcoming elections include Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana. Political parties across these states have begun finalizing their candidates as the election date approaches.
Generational Shift Emerging Within JD(U)
At the same time, the Janata Dal (United) appears to be preparing for an internal transition. Nishant Kumar, the son of Nitish Kumar, is expected to formally enter politics by joining the party on Sunday.
On Saturday, Nishant met senior party leaders and several young legislators at the residence of JD(U) National Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha. The meeting focused on the party’s future strategy and leadership direction following Nitish Kumar’s move toward national politics.
Although Nishant Kumar has largely stayed away from public life and worked as a software engineer after graduating from BIT Mesra, political speculation around his potential role is increasing.
Some observers believe he could be considered for a key position within the party or even a role in a future government if a leadership gap emerges after Nitish Kumar’s transition to the Rajya Sabha.