CM Nitish Kumar Resigns From Bihar Legislative Council Ahead Of Rajya Sabha Entry

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday resigned from his membership in the Legislative Council, fulfilling a constitutional requirement ahead of formally assuming office as a Rajya Sabha member.

Kumar, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha on March 16 and received his election certificate the same day, is scheduled to take oath on April 10. As per constitutional provisions, an individual elected to Parliament must resign from their existing legislative position within 14 days, failing which their new membership stands cancelled.

In compliance, he submitted his resignation on March 30 through MLC Sanjay Gandhi.

The resignation marks the conclusion of Kumar’s long association with the Bihar Legislative Council. He first became a member in 2006 and served four consecutive terms — 2006-2012, 2012-2018, 2018-2024, and 2024 onwards.

Since assuming office as Chief Minister in November 2005, Kumar has largely remained a member of the Council instead of contesting Assembly elections. Earlier in his career, he was elected as an MLA from Harnaut in 1985 and also served in the Lok Sabha.

With his upcoming Rajya Sabha tenure, Kumar is set to achieve a rare distinction of being a member of all four legislative bodies — the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Lok Sabha, Legislative Council, and Rajya Sabha.

Constitutional Implications And Next Steps

Following his resignation from the Council, constitutional norms require Kumar to step down as Chief Minister. However, provisions allow him to continue in office for up to six months without being a member of either House of the state legislature.

Within this period, he must regain membership or consider an alternative political course.

Kumar’s transition to the Rajya Sabha marks a new phase in his political journey, which began in 1985. His formal induction into Parliament’s Upper House on April 10 is expected to influence Bihar’s political landscape in the months ahead.

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