Kathmandu – Nitish Kumar, Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister, officially stepped down from his post on Tuesday. The 75-year-old leader submitted his resignation to Governor Syed Ata Hasnain at Raj Bhavan, marking the formal conclusion of the nearly two-decade-long “Nitish Era” in Bihar politics.
Citing health reasons and a shift toward a new political role, Kumar, who was recently elected to the Rajya Sabha, is set to transition from state politics to a more active role in Delhi’s central leadership. Before heading to Raj Bhavan, he chaired his final cabinet meeting, dissolved the council of ministers, and thanked his colleagues for their support.
BJP to Lead the New Government
With Kumar’s resignation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to lead the Bihar government for the first time. Samrat Chaudhary is slated to become the new Chief Minister, backed by the BJP’s strength as the largest party in the assembly with 89 seats. The swearing-in ceremony is expected tomorrow, potentially attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Legacy of ‘Sushasan Babu’
Leading Bihar since 2005 (with brief interruptions), Kumar earned the moniker ‘Sushasan Babu’ (Man of Good Governance). His tenure was defined by transformative initiatives, including the bicycle scheme for schoolgirls, 50% reservation for women in Panchayats, state-wide prohibition, and massive infrastructure expansion.
In a farewell message on social media, Kumar expressed his gratitude to the people of Bihar and PM Modi, stating, “I am honored to have served Bihar. The foundation of development we laid will take the state to even greater heights.”
