NEW DELHI: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the longest-serving leader in the state's history, filed his nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections on Thursday, marking a significant shift in his political career after over two decades at the helm of Bihar's governance. The 75-year-old Janata Dal (United) president, who has switched alliances multiple times in recent years, confirmed his move to the Upper House of Parliament, fulfilling a long-held aspiration to serve in both houses of the state legislature and Parliament.

Kumar submitted his nomination at the Bihar Legislative Assembly in the presence of key National Democratic Alliance (NDA) figures, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President Nitin Naveen, and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan Singh). He was joined by four other NDA candidates: BJP State General Secretary Shivesh Kumar, JD(U)'s Ram Nath Thakur, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha's Upendra Kushwaha. The elections for five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar are scheduled for March 16, with scrutiny of nominations set for today and withdrawal deadline on March 9.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kumar expressed gratitude to Bihar's people for their trust over the past two decades, crediting them for the state's development. "For more than two decades, you have consistently placed your trust and support in me, and it is on the strength of that trust that we have served Bihar and all of you with complete dedication," he wrote. He assured that his relocation to Delhi would not diminish his commitment, stating the new government would have his "full support and guidance."

The announcement ends weeks of speculation about Kumar's future, especially after his latest alliance flip in January 2026, when he rejoined the NDA after briefly aligning with the opposition INDIA bloc. Having served as CM for a record 10 terms since 2000 (with brief interruptions), Kumar's departure paves the way for a new leader in Bihar. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a key NDA partner, is eyeing its first CM in the state, with names like Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha being floated as potential successors.

Opposition leaders have sharply criticized the move. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Tejashwi Yadav called it a "betrayal of the people's mandate," alleging Kumar was pressured by the BJP to vacate the CM post. Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed Khan echoed similar sentiments, questioning the timing just months after the 2025 assembly elections.

Political analysts view this as a strategic elevation for Kumar, potentially positioning him for a national role, such as a Union Cabinet berth or even Vice-President in the future. With the NDA holding a comfortable majority in Bihar's assembly (126 MLAs out of 243), the alliance is poised to secure all five seats unopposed if no contests arise.

Kumar's political journey began in the 1970s with the JP movement. He has been a Lok Sabha MP five times, an MLA, and an MLC, but never a Rajya Sabha member. His tenure as CM focused on infrastructure, women's empowerment, and prohibition, though critics point to governance lapses and frequent U-turns.

As Bihar braces for a leadership transition, all eyes are on the NDA's next moves. Kumar's Rajya Sabha entry could reshape alliances ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, underscoring the fluid nature of Indian coalition politics.