NEW DELHI: Bihar is witnessing intense political developments as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar steps down, marking the end of a leadership span that has largely defined the state’s governance for nearly two decades, apart from a brief interruption in 2014-15.
In what is expected to be his final official engagement as Chief Minister, the Janata Dal (United) leader has called a cabinet meeting at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Soon after, he is likely to resign, clearing the path for a new administration led by the BJP, a key ally within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This transition is significant, as it would mark the first instance of the BJP taking direct leadership of the Bihar government since the alliance came into existence.
Following the cabinet meeting, the state's longest-serving CM, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha last week, will submit his resignation to Bihar's Governor Syed Ata Hasnain.
While the BJP has not officially declared its choice for the next Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is widely seen as a leading contender, largely due to his current responsibility for the crucial Home Ministry in the outgoing government. Hailing from the Koeri caste, an influential OBC group, Choudhary was made the state party president in 2023 and became the Deputy CM a year later.