Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar left for Delhi on Thursday to take oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha the next day, and a transfer of power in Bihar is expected to follow after his return. He is expected to meet senior BJP leaders before returning to Patna. The BJP has also called a meeting in Delhi to determine the modalities of the transition and appoint the new chief minister by mid-April.
Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha said the process of selecting Kumar’s successor will begin after the ill-fated ‘Khadim’ term ends on April 13. “Generally, people avoid important work during Khadim’s tenure. After his return, the transition process will begin from April 14.”
The new government is expected to include new faces, including Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar.
Read also | Nitish Kumar resigns from the Bihar Legislative Council, and all eyes are on who will be the next Prime Minister
The BJP leader said the transition could happen on March 15. He added that the inauguration of the new government function would be great to showcase the smooth transition in Bihar in the presence of all leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and with Kumar’s blessings. Bihar is the only Hindi-speaking state where the BJP is yet to form a government on its own.
Bihar Minister Vijay Kumar Chowdhury said that Kumar will resign from the post of Chief Minister after his return from Delhi. “The rest of the matters will then follow according to the established process… Khamis will also finish. Kumar will do what he has decided and what is the constitutional requirement,” he said.
A second BJP leader said the party recognizes the importance of the transition period after Kumar’s two-decade rule. “That is why the BJP kept everything under wraps.”
Deputy Prime Minister Samrat Chaudhary is among the contenders to succeed Kumar. He was the state unit president of the BJP till July 2024 and later bagged the second position in the government twice. The party had a record of surprises.
D M Diwakar, former director of the AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies, said the biggest challenge facing the BJP will begin in the post-transition phase, where he will succeed the new Prime Minister Kumar, who has unparalleled credentials in successful coalition management and administration.
Diwakar said that the actions of the new Prime Minister will be compared to Kumar’s actions from day one, and here lies the challenge. “This may explain why the BJP was in no hurry to announce the name, even though it may have taken its decision in consultation with the JD(U) and other allies. The contours of the new government must be ready, but the picture will not become clear until after Kumar’s resignation.”
