Nitish Kumar to Resign as MLC Today, Samrat Choudhary May Become New Bihar CM

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to resign from his Member of Legislative Council (MLC) position today, March 30, 2026. This decision follows his recent election to the Rajya Sabha on March 16. As he moves to the Parliament, the political heat in Bihar has gone up as the CM prepares to leave his current post and the state government. Reports suggest that this move will likely lead to a major leadership change in the state administration.

Why is Nitish Kumar resigning from the MLC post today?

Nitish Kumar was elected to the Rajya Sabha on March 16, 2026. Under the Prohibition of Simultaneous Membership Rules, 1950, a person cannot hold seats in both the Parliament and a state legislature at the same time. The law requires the individual to resign from one of the houses within 14 days of being elected. Since today is the final day of this period, the Chief Minister must submit his resignation to the Bihar Legislative Council. This step is a mandatory legal requirement before he begins his new tenure in the Rajya Sabha.

Who are the frontrunners for the Chief Minister post?

With Nitish Kumar moving to central politics, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to claim the Chief Minister chair for the first time in the history of Bihar. Several names are currently being discussed for the top post as the NDA alliance looks for a successor.

• Samrat Choudhary: Currently serving as the Deputy CM and Home Minister, he is seen as the top contender for the post.
• Nityanand Rai: The Union Minister has been mentioned as a candidate, although he has stated his commitment to his current role under the central government.
• Nishant Kumar: There are reports that Nitish Kumar son might be considered for a Deputy CM role to reassure party workers.

The transition marks the end of an era for Nitish Kumar, who took his latest oath as Chief Minister for a record 10th time in November 2025. Party leaders from JD(U) have held closed-door meetings to discuss the future of the party in his absence.