Patna, Bihar: Bihar's political landscape may soon witness another major development as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The move could lead to the vacancy of the chief minister's post, triggering discussions over who will succeed him.

The development comes only months after Kumar and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a decisive victory in the Bihar Assembly elections. With Kumar preparing to move to the Upper House of Parliament, attention has now shifted to potential candidates who could take over the top post in the state government.

According to individuals familiar with the matter, two prominent leaders — Samrat Choudhary and Nityanand Rai — have emerged as leading contenders for the position of Bihar chief minister.

Samrat Choudhary, currently serving as one of Bihar's deputy chief ministers, is widely considered a strong candidate for the role. A prominent figure in state politics, Choudhary has held several key responsibilities over the years. He previously served as the Panchayati Raj Minister and presently handles the Home Affairs portfolio for the state government. This is his second term as deputy chief minister.

Another name being discussed is Nityanand Rai, who is currently serving as the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs. Before joining the central government, Rai served as the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Bihar unit. He has also been elected four times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Hajipur.

In 2015, Rai contested parliamentary elections and was elected as a Member of Parliament from Ujiarpur.

Meanwhile, speculation has also emerged regarding the possible entry of Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, into active politics. Reports suggest that Nishant may formally join the Janata Dal (United) and could be inducted into the Bihar cabinet soon.

Speaking on the development earlier, minister Sharwan Kumar indicated that Nishant Kumar could be entrusted with a significant responsibility within the party. However, the exact role is expected to be decided in the coming days.

"There will be a decision regarding his responsibilities within a day or two," Sharwan Kumar had said earlier, while also noting that various political possibilities remain open.

In addition to Choudhary and Rai, reports indicate that Bihar minister Dilip Jaiswal and BJP MLA Sanjiv Chaurasia from Digha are also being considered as potential candidates for the chief minister's position.

As Nitish Kumar prepares for a possible transition to the Rajya Sabha, Bihar's political circles are closely watching developments regarding the state's next chief minister.