Career Nitish Kumar

Entry into Politics

Kumar took part in Jayaprakash Narayan's movement (1974–77). He won his first election from Harnaut to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1985 and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Barh in 1989. In 1990 he briefly served as Union Minister of State for Agriculture.

Samata Party and Union Minister

In 1994 he co-founded the Samata Party with George Fernandes. Under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee he served as Union Minister for Railways, Surface Transport and Agriculture (1998–2004). He resigned as minister in August 1999, taking responsibility for the Gaisal train disaster. In 2003 the Samata Party merged into the Janata Dal (United).

Chief Minister of Bihar

Kumar first became Chief Minister in March 2000, but resigned after seven days without facing a floor test. He returned to power in November 2005 with the BJP and went on to dominate Bihar politics for two decades, taking the oath of office a record ten times:

• 2005–2014: With the BJP (NDA); resigned in May 2014 after JD(U)'s poor Lok Sabha result
• 2015–2017: Returned in February 2015 and won the 2015 election with the RJD and Congress (Mahagathbandhan)
• 2017–2022: Rejoined the NDA in July 2017
• 2022–2024: Rejoined the Mahagathbandhan in August 2022
• 2024–2026: Returned to the NDA in January 2024; led the NDA to a landslide in the 2025 election and was sworn in for the 10th time on 20 November 2025

His frequent changes of alliance earned him praise for political skill as well as criticism and the nickname "Paltu Ram" from opponents.

Governance

• Law and order: Speedy trials under the Arms Act and police reforms
• Women's empowerment: 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj bodies and the Jeevika self-help group programme
• Girls' education: Free bicycles for girls who stayed in school
• Prohibition: Total ban on liquor from April 2016
• Infrastructure: Roads and bridges; the Patna Metro was inaugurated in October 2025
• Caste survey: Bihar's caste-based survey (2023)

Move to the Rajya Sabha (2026)

In March 2026, Kumar filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha and was elected unopposed. He resigned from the Bihar Legislative Council on 30 March, took oath as a Rajya Sabha MP on 10 April 2026, and resigned as Chief Minister on 15 April 2026. Samrat Choudhary of the BJP succeeded him as Bihar's first BJP Chief Minister.

Controversies

• November 2023: His remarks in the Assembly on women's education and population control drew protests; he apologised.
• December 2025: A video showing him pulling a Muslim woman's veil at a government appointment ceremony drew condemnation from several parties.