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New Delhi: Political circles in Bihar and Delhi are rife with speculations of Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar stepping aside from his post and heading to the Rajya Sabha. He is expected to file his nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections on Thursday and make way for a new CM in the state, nearly 4 months after taking oath for a record 10th term.

The step is being seen as a major political shift in the state, which has been long led by Nitish Kumar as the CM.

According to some unconfirmed reports, the next Bihar CM could be from the BJP, which is the single largest party in the Assembly in the state. The party currently has 89 seats in the House. Speculations are rife that after Nitish Kumar steps down, a BJP candidate would take over the CM post.

Sources quoted by the Indian Express said that while the BJP could lead the government in the state, the JD(U) is expected to get the position of 2 Deputy CMs in Bihar.

The frontrunners for the position of CM are Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, both of whom are BJP leaders and are currently the Deputy CMs in the state. The names of Minister Dilip Jaiswal, and Digha BJP MLA Sanjiv Chaurasia are also doing the rounds for the position of CM. Apart from these leaders, current Union Minister and BJP’s Nityanand Rai is also reportedly eyeing the post of CM in Bihar.

The JD(U) is expected to push for Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar for the position of Deputy CM in the state. If accepted, it will mark the formal entry of Nishant into politics.

Amid the speculations over the likely leadership reshuffle in Bihar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to be in the state on Thursday. He is also reportedly going to accompany Nitish Kumar and BJP National President Nitin Nabin to file nominations for the Rajya Sabha Elections.

Supporters of Nitish Kumar meanwhile want him to continue as the CM of Bihar. While some gave a guarded response, others were seen protesting outside the CM’s residence in the state.

Reacting to the reports of Nitish Kumar moving to the Rajya Sabha, his party colleague Rajeev Ranjan Patel said, “What should we do if not cry? We endured lathi charge and kicking to make Nitish Kumar the Chief Minister. In 2025, we went door-to-door seeking votes for Nitish Kumar. If he is no longer the Chief Minister, where will the people of Bihar go? You can hold elections today and make whoever you want the Chief Minister… The workers’ only demand is that Nishant (Nitish Kumar’s son) be sent to the Rajya Sabha… If someone wants to change the Chief Minister, if they feel they have the power to change the leadership, if their face has that much power, then they should hold elections and get a majority, we will not say anything… We will stay here and will not let him (Nitish Kumar) go to file his nomination. Nishant Kumar will be nominated; we will not let Nitish Kumar go.”

Others like JD(U) leader Sanjay Singh said that the party will respect Nitish Kumar’s decision. He was quoted as saying, ” If he has made the decision that he wants to go to Rajya Sabha, then we cannot oppose it, but the public of Bihar wants him to continue to be the CM of Bihar.” He also welcomed the move of Nitish’s son, Nishant coming into active politics, describing him as an educated person.