Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has signalled the end of his illustrious yet turbulent political journey by announcing his intention to transition to the Rajya Sabha, potentially leading to his resignation from the top post.
The veteran leader, who has helmed Bihar for nearly two decades across ten terms, shared this development via a detailed social media post, marking the start of what he calls a “new innings.”
In 1985, Kumar’s political journey commenced with his first election as an MLA. By 1989, he entered the Lok Sabha, serving six terms as an MP. His central stints included key ministerial roles: as Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Cooperation in 1990, and later as Cabinet Minister for Railways (1998-1999, 2001-2004), Surface Transport (1998-1999, 1999), and Agriculture (1999-2000, 2000-2001). In Bihar, his first brush with the chief ministership was brief in 2000, lasting just seven days under the Samata Party banner. However, from 2005 onwards, he solidified his grip, navigating alliances with the BJP-JDU combine and the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan to return to power repeatedly— most recently in November 2025 for his 10th term.
Known for his strategic flips, Kumar has been a pivotal figure in Bihar’s volatile politics. On the personal front, he was married to Manju Kumari Sinha, a teacher who passed away in 2007. Their son, Nishant Kumar, is poised to enter politics, possibly as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC).
As speculation swirls about his successor, Kumar’s legacy of resilience and coalition mastery remains unmatched, particularly in the context of his contributions to local governance and community development initiatives.