Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who is a top prospect among the BJP leaders vying to succeed Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister of the State, is set to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in poll-bound West Bengal on Sunday (March 8, 2026), according to party sources. The two leaders are likely to address a public meeting together at Bagdogra, in what is being seen as an exercise to boost Mr. Choudhary’s political persona.
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On March 6, Mr. Kumar filed nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election, set to take place on March 16. His imminent departure from Patna triggered consternation even in the Opposition. Former Chief Minister and Rahtriya Janata Dal leader Rabri Devi alleged on Saturday (March 7, 2026) that “Nitish Kumar is being pushed out of Bihar by the BJP…this is not a voluntary retirement of him,” adding that Mr. Kumar “should not leave Bihar”.
Within Mr. Kumar’s own Janata Dal (United) as well, changes are afoot. His son Nishant Kumar, 50, who plans to formally join the JD(U) on Sunday (March 8, 2026), met party legislators on Saturday (March 7, 2026) at the Patna residence of working party president Sanjay Kumar Jha. The junior Mr. Kumar is said to have discussed party affairs and the ground realities of politics with them. JD(U) MLAs briefed him on issues he asked about, and welcomed him into the party to take it to new political heights.
