Veteran leader Nitish Kumar on Tuesday stepped down as the Chief Minister of Bihar, bringing an end to his long tenure at the helm of the state’s politics. The announcement was made shortly after he met Governor Syed Ata Hasnain and formally submitted his resignation at the Raj Bhavan.
Kumar, who is the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar, shared the development through a post on social media following a cabinet meeting earlier in the day.
Resignation follows cabinet meeting and meeting with Governor
The 75-year-old leader arrived at the Governor’s residence accompanied by senior leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, JD(U) national working president Sanjay Jha, and state minister Vijay Choudhary.
Speaking after submitting his resignation, Kumar said he had taken the decision voluntarily after serving the people of Bihar for several years. He added that a new government would now take charge of the state’s administration, and he would extend full support and guidance to the incoming leadership.
Highlights long tenure and development initiatives
Reflecting on his time in office, Kumar pointed to the work carried out under his leadership since the formation of the NDA government in Bihar in November 2005. He said the state witnessed improvements in governance, infrastructure, and public services during this period.
Kumar highlighted efforts across sectors such as education, healthcare, road development, electricity, and agriculture. He also emphasised initiatives aimed at the welfare of women, youth, and marginalised communities, stating that development efforts were inclusive and targeted all sections of society.
Focus on future roadmap and ‘7 Nishchay-3’ plan
The outgoing Chief Minister also referred to the government’s future development roadmap under the “7 Nishchay-3” programme, designed for the 2025–2030 period. He expressed confidence that the initiative would accelerate Bihar’s progress and strengthen its position among India’s leading states.
Kumar acknowledged the support of the central government and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for continued cooperation in Bihar’s development.
Political transition underway in Bihar
With Kumar’s resignation, attention has now shifted to the formation of a new government in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which is the single largest party in the 243-member Bihar Assembly with 89 MLAs, is expected to play a key role in the leadership transition.
The NDA alliance in Bihar commands a strong majority, with support from JD(U), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Leaders such as Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi are part of the alliance.
Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been appointed as the central observer for the election of the BJP legislature party leader and is expected to oversee the process in Patna.
End of an era in Bihar politics
Kumar’s resignation marks a significant moment in Bihar’s political landscape, given his long-standing influence and multiple terms as Chief Minister. As the state prepares for a leadership transition, political observers will be closely watching the next steps in government formation and the direction of governance in the coming years.