Nitish Kumar Sworn In As Rajya Sabha MP Following Unopposed Election

Nitish Kumar formally took oath as a Rajya Sabha member on Friday, signalling a clear move away from his long-standing role in Bihar politics.

Earlier on Thursday, he had travelled to New Delhi along with Sanjay Jha and Vijay Kumar Choudhary to complete the required procedures ahead of assuming office in the Upper House.

With this induction, Nitish Kumar becomes one of the few leaders in India to have served across all four legislative platforms, the State Assembly, State Council, Lok Sabha and now the Rajya Sabha.

His entry into the Upper House follows his unopposed election on 16 March. He subsequently relinquished his membership of the Bihar Legislative Council on 30 March, ending a nearly two-decade-long association.

Nitish Kumar first entered the Council in 2006 and remained a member through successive terms, 2006 to 2012, 2012 to 2018, 2018 to 2024, and the ongoing term before stepping down.

Throughout his tenure as Chief Minister since November 2005, he maintained his position through the Legislative Council rather than the Assembly, despite earlier winning the Harnaut seat in 1985 and serving as a Lok Sabha MP.

Nitish Kumar’s resignation from the Council also triggers the requirement for him to vacate the Chief Minister’s post under constitutional provisions.

Explaining his decision, he said, “I have accomplished a lot of work in Bihar. Now I felt that I should remain here, and that is what I am doing.”

“I will step down from my role there (Patna) and work here (New Delhi). I will resign in three or four days. New individuals will be appointed as Chief Minister and Ministers,” he further stated.

This shift marks a significant turning point in his political journey, which began in 1985, and is likely to influence the future political direction of Bihar.