Amid speculation that Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is likely to succeed Nitish Kumar as the new Chief Minister of Bihar, Mr. Kumar on Friday (March 13, 2026) gave a subtle message to the people of the State that Mr. Choudhary would be his successor.

Mr. Kumar is set to demit office after he filed nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election on March 16.

During the Samriddhi Yatra in Saharsa, Mr. Kumar placed his hands on Mr. Choudhary’s shoulder and urged the people to show support for him. The Chief Minister also asked the public to report to Mr. Choudhary about the developmental work completed or lack thereof in Bihar.

Mr. Kumar reminded people about the work he has accomplished for Bihar in the last 20 years as Chief Minister.

At the end of his 20-minute long speech, Mr. Kumar said, “When Bihar develops, the country will also develop. All kinds of work are being done in Bihar. I will request everyone to raise their hand in his support. Everything would be good. I have told him to do many other [developmental] works for the people.”

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Mr. Choudhary, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, belongs to the Koeri, or Kushwaha caste, a prominent other backward class (OBC) community in Bihar.

After the Yadavs, the Kushwahas form the second largest voting bloc among OBC castes in the State, and have close ties with Nitish Kumar’s Kurmi community.

Mr. Choudhary is a top prospect among BJP leaders vying to succeed Mr. Kumar as the next Chief Minister of the State. Several other BJP leaders’ names are doing the rounds for the post including Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, who belongs to the Yadav caste.

Addressing the gathering after Mr. Kumar’s speech, Mr. Choudhary asserted that the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the State will continue to function under the guidance of the veteran Janata Dal (United) leader.

Showering praise on the State’s longest-serving Chief Minister, Mr. Choudhary said: “Bihar owes a lot to Nitish Kumar, who took charge shortly after the creation of Jharkhand, which had deprived the State of more than 80% of its revenue.” He said the State’s budget was only a few thousand crores when Mr. Kumar first assumed office.

Cabinet Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary while addressing the people, said the trust people have reposed in Mr. Kumar must continue in the future as well. “Whichever government the NDA forms, it will not run without the advice of Nitish Kumar ji. So, you should also give strength to the new government [to be formed],” he added.