Patna, Mar 5:
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is likely to file his nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections on Thursday, according to leaders of the Janata Dal (United).
Sources said Kumar may submit his nomination papers at the state assembly around 11 AM. Nitin Nabin, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar, is also expected to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha polls the same day.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to be present during the filing of the nomination papers.
State minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary had earlier confirmed that Nitish Kumar was considering entering the Rajya Sabha, a move that could mark the end of his long tenure as the longest-serving chief minister of Bihar.
Political observers believe that Kumar may step down after leading the ruling National Democratic Alliance to a massive victory in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. In such a scenario, a BJP leader is expected to take over the top post, potentially giving Bihar its first chief minister from the BJP.
However, an official announcement regarding Kumar’s entry into the Upper House is yet to be made.
Meanwhile, elections for five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar are scheduled to be held on March 16 as the tenures of Harivansh Narayan Singh, Ram Nath Thakur, Prem Chand Gupta, Amarendra Dhari Singh and Upendra Kushwaha are coming to an end.
As per the current strength in the state legislature, all five seats are expected to go to the ruling NDA alliance.
Before filing his nomination papers, BJP president is scheduled to visit the revered Mahavir Temple in Patna to offer prayers.(KNC)