Nitish Kumar’s Resignation Triggers Power Play: Who Will Be the Next Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar

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Patna: Moments after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation following the Bihar Cabinet meeting, a new political battle began—who will occupy the Deputy Chief Minister’s chair? With the NDA crossing the 200-seat mark in the 2025 Assembly elections, the chief ministerial question has been sealed. Now all eyes are on the “Deputy CM race,” where caste and gender equations are shaping key decisions.

Sources within the BJP indicate that the party is considering a dual-strategy ticket—appointing a woman Deputy CM who also represents either the upper-caste bloc or the backward/ extremely backward classes. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar have relied heavily on women voters as their political trump card. A final decision is expected around 19 November, but several names are already at the forefront.

Women Contenders for Deputy CM

According to senior BJP insiders, two women leaders are under serious consideration:

• Shreyasi Singh – Represents both the upper-caste and women voter segments, making her a strong fit for the party’s “two birds with one stone” strategy.
• Rama Nishad – A potential choice if the party aims to consolidate backward and women votes simultaneously.

Both leaders align with the party’s renewed focus on gender inclusion paired with caste outreach.

Backward Caste (Male) Contenders

If the NDA decides to pick a male leader from the backward classes, two names have surfaced prominently:

• Ramkripal Yadav, former MP from Patliputra
• Samrat Choudhary, the current Deputy Chief Minister and a key face of the BJP during the recent Assembly campaign

Choudhary’s previous experience as Deputy CM and his leadership during the elections strengthen his claim.

Upper-Caste Contenders

In the upper-caste category, three names are gaining momentum:

• Mangal Pandey, former Health Minister—considered close to Nitish Kumar, which may work in his favour during negotiations
• Vijay Sinha, former Deputy CM—though sources suggest he might instead be considered for the Speaker’s post
• Rajneesh Kumar, BJP whip and a trusted figure within the party’s national setup—Delhi circles are reportedly backing his candidature

What Happens Next?

With pressure to balance caste arithmetic, gender representation, and political alliances, the NDA leadership is working to finalise the name that best fits the new power arrangement. The curtain is expected to rise on 19 November, when the final Deputy CM pick will be unveiled.