Nitish Kumar has resigned from the Bihar Legislative Council, complying with constitutional provisions after his recent election to the Rajya Sabha.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Monday tendered their resignations from the Bihar Legislative Council and Bihar Legislative Assembly, respectively.

Both leaders sent their resignation letters through emissaries. While MLC Sanjay Gandhi, accompanied by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, carried Nitish Kumar’s letter to the Legislative Council Chairman, BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi handed over Nabin’s letter to the Legislative Assembly Speaker.

Bihar Legislative Council Chairman Avadhesh Narayan Singh, who also paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Minister in the morning, said he had accepted Nitish Kumar’s resignation. “He has been an invaluable leader of the House and devoted himself to Bihar’s cause,” he added.

Both leaders were elected to the Rajya Sabha on March 16, and the deadline for their resignation from the state legislature was March 30.

According to the Prohibition of Simultaneous Membership Rules, 1950 (under Articles 101 and 190 of the Constitution), a member elected to both Parliament and a state legislature must resign from one within 14 days.“The BJP president had pre-scheduled engagements in Delhi and Assam, besides other work, on Sunday. Before leaving Patna, he handed over his resignation to me, which I will submit to the Speaker today (Monday),” said Saraogi.

Nabin also wrote an emotional message on Monday morning to the people of Patna’s Bankipore constituency, which he has represented five consecutive times since 2006. “The party has given me a new responsibility, but my connect with my people will continue,” he said.

On the other hand, Choudhary said Nitish Kumar had handed over his resignation to Sanjay Gandhi for submission to the Chairman. “We have also reached the Council and are waiting to submit the resignation letter,” he added.

Choudhary further said that resigning from one House within 14 days of election to another is a constitutional requirement, and Nitish Kumar has always been known for upholding constitutional values.

When asked about Nitish Kumar stepping down as Chief Minister, Choudhary said it would happen at the appropriate time and in accordance with constitutional provisions.

Nitish Kumar is expected to resign as Chief Minister ahead of taking oath in the Rajya Sabha. However, with his resignation as MLC, attention now turns to his successor, as this could herald a significant shift in Bihar’s political landscape after over two decades dominated by his leadership.