Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and BJP MLA Nitin Nabin Resign from Legislature After RS Win, All Eyes on Next CM

In a major political shift in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin resigned from their respective positions in the state legislature on Monday, weeks after being elected to the Rajya Sabha .

Nitish Kumar stepped down from his membership in the Bihar Legislative Council , while Nitin Nabin resigned as the MLA from the Bankipur constituency in the state Assembly. Both leaders were elected to the Rajya Sabha on March 16 , necessitating their departure from the state legislature in line with constitutional rules prohibiting dual membership.

Nitin Nabin’s resignation was submitted to Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar through Bihar BJP chief Sanjay Saraogi , and it has been accepted and forwarded for formalities. With this move, Nabin concludes a two-decade-long career in the Bihar Assembly , having been elected five consecutive times , leaving behind a strong political legacy in Bankipur. He expressed gratitude to the people of Bankipur and vowed to continue working for the development of Bihar in his new national role.

Nitish Kumar’s resignation from the Legislative Council has drawn emotional reactions across the political spectrum. Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh described Kumar as a “progressive chief minister who took everyone along” and said, “The pain of his resignation will always remain.” Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar recalled his long association with Kumar since the 1970s, saying his role in governance and legislative work has been exemplary . BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi credited Kumar for Bihar’s progress, adding, “He has pulled Bihar out of ‘Jungle Raj’ and put it on the path of development.” JD(U) leaders Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Ashok Choudhary also expressed deep respect and emotion over his exit.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders criticized the move. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged that Kumar was “forced” to resign, claiming the BJP had “trapped” both him and the electorate, while party spokesperson Shakti Yadav suggested that JD(U) was facing a critical turning point.

Kumar, Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister , has held office for over 18 years cumulatively, guiding the state through multiple phases of governance. His departure, along with Nabin’s, has left all eyes on who will succeed him as the next CM , marking a pivotal moment in Bihar politics. The resignations signal a transition from state-level responsibilities to national roles , and have triggered discussions about the state’s evolving leadership dynamics.