In a major political development rocking Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is reportedly preparing to step down from his position and shift to the Rajya Sabha, according to well-placed sources. The move could unfold soon after the Rajya Sabha elections slated for March 16, potentially clearing the deck for a new face at the helm of the state government.

Nitish Kumar, now 75 and a veteran of Bihar's top job since 2005, has navigated multiple alliance switches that have defined the state's rollercoaster politics—from NDA to INDIA bloc and back. Insiders point to his recent health worries as a key factor, with nomination papers for the Upper House said to be ready for his nod. Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary recently acknowledged discussions on this transition, signaling it's more than idle gossip.

This comes amid whispers of BJP's push within the NDA fold to install one of their own as CM, a first for Bihar where JD(U) has long called the shots. Past resignations by Nitish in 2024 and 2025 only for him to return quickly add layers to the speculation, but sources insist this Rajya Sabha pivot feels more permanent.

Should Nitish exit, frontrunners for the CM post include BJP heavyweights like Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary or Union Minister Nityanand Rai, both with solid backing among backward classes. There's even talk of Nitish's son Nishant, a political novice, taking up a deputy role to keep family influence alive. Opposition RJD has slammed it as a BJP power grab, likening it to tactics seen in Maharashtra.

With assembly elections on the horizon, this could solidify NDA's grip but test the BJP-JD(U) bond. Biharis might see steady progress on Nitish-era priorities like infrastructure and education, now under fresh NDA leadership. All eyes are on the next week—Patna could witness yet another high-stakes swearing-in.