Marking the end of an era in Indian state politics, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the last of the political generation shaped during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s time, on Thursday announced a new innings in national politics and filed his nomination as the NDA candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections.
In a detailed social media post on X, Nitish Kumar, who has served as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10 times, said that he is going to fulfil his long-held desire to represent both Houses of Parliament.
“From the very beginning of my parliamentary journey, there has been a desire in my heart to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament. In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time,” he said, bidding adieu to state politics.
Kumar said that his relationship with the people of Bihar will continue in the future as well. He also extended his full cooperation and guidance to the new government.
6 times MP, 10 times Chief Minister, and now Rajya Sabha
Nitish Kumar has been a Member of Parliament six times. He has served as Bihar’s Chief Minister a record 10 times. He has also been a member of the Legislative Council and an MLA. For nearly two decades, he has been handling the responsibility of the Chief Minister’s post in Bihar.
He has been the face of the government in alliances with BJP-JD(U) and also in the Mahagathbandhan with RJD. His frequent change of allies also earned him the moniker “Palturam” from his critics. His admirers, however, called it his unique ability to assess which way the political winds were blowing.
A veteran of both state and national politics, Nitish Kumar first entered electoral politics in 1985, when he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the first time.
In 1989, he became a Member of Parliament for the first time and went on to serve six terms in the Lok Sabha. He became minister for the first time in 1990.
Kumar first assumed office as the Chief Minister of Bihar in 2000, and later, in 2006, he became a Member of the Bihar Legislative Council (MLC) for the first time. He returned to power on November 24, 2005, serving until November 25, 2010, followed by another term from November 26, 2010, to May 19, 2014.
He again became Chief Minister on February 22, 2015, serving until November 19, 2015, and continued in office from November 20, 2015, to July 26, 2017. Kumar then held the top post from July 27, 2017, to November 12, 2020, followed by another term from November 16, 2020, to August 9, 2022.
He returned to the position again on August 10, 2022, serving until January 28, 2024, and subsequently from January 28, 2024, to November 19, 2025. His current term began on November 20, 2025.
Buzz around Nishant Kumar’s entry into Bihar Cabinet
Nitish Kumar has largely kept his family away from politics until last year when his son Nishant played an active role in Bihar Assembly elections.
Kumar was married to Manju Kumari Sinha. She was a teacher by profession and passed away on May 14, 2007, in a hospital in New Delhi. Nishant is likely to enter active politics soon by becoming an MLC (Member of Legislative Council). Reports also suggest that Nitish wants his son to be made the deputy chief minister of Bihar after his Rajya Sabha move. However, the BJP is said to be reluctant about his demand for it will make its “dynastic politics” charge on Lalu Yadav-led RJD weaker.