Bihar's political landscape continues to wobble as JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar remains Chief Minister despite resigning from the state's Legislative Council. The resignation was a constitutional necessity following his election to the Rajya Sabha earlier this month. However, Indian constitutional law allows Nitish Kumar to remain CM for at least six months without being a member of the state legislature.
The question now is: when and who will succeed Nitish Kumar as CM? The dominant partner BJP is yet to reach a consensus, but senior leaders are already in Patna meeting with state leaders to shape the transition. Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, Union minister Nityanand Rai, and Bihar minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal are amongst the top contenders for the CM post.
Political analysts suggest that Samrat Choudhary is the strongest contender due to his key leadership role in the Kushwaha community, Bihar's second-largest backward caste. The BJP is expected to strengthen its OBC equation with Choudhary's appointment as CM.
The transition is expected to happen after the period of 'Kharmas' ends on April 14, which is also the birth anniversary of Indian constitutionalist and Dalit icon BR Ambedkar. This has led to chatter among local media outlets that new beginnings may be made on or after that date.
