On Monday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin submitted their resignations from the Bihar Legislative Council and the Bihar Legislative Assembly, respectively.
Both leaders submitted their resignation letters through intermediaries. MLC Sanjay Gandhi, along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, delivered Nitish Kumar’s letter to the Legislative Council Chairman, while BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi presented Nabin’s letter to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
Bihar Legislative Council Chairman Avadhesh Narayan Singh, who had also paid a courtesy call on the Chief Minister earlier in the day, said he had accepted Nitish Kumar’s resignation. “He has been an exceptional leader of the House and has dedicated himself to the cause of Bihar,” he said.
Both leaders secured election to the Rajya Sabha on March 16, with March 30 set as the deadline for them to resign from the state legislature.
Under the Prohibition of Simultaneous Membership Rules, 1950 (framed under Articles 101 and 190 of the Constitution), any individual elected to both Parliament and a state legislature is required to step down from one of the two positions within 14 days.
The BJP president already had prior commitments in Delhi and Assam, along with other responsibilities, on Sunday. Before departing from Patna, he gave me his resignation, which I will present to the Speaker today (Monday),” Saraogi stated. 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.
Conversely, Choudhary stated that Nitish Kumar had given his resignation to Sanjay Gandhi to be submitted to the Chairman. “We have also arrived at the Council and are waiting to hand in the resignation letter,” he added.
Choudhary added that stepping down from one House within 14 days of being elected to another is mandated by the Constitution, and Nitish Kumar has consistently been recognized for his commitment to constitutional principles.
Responding to a question about Nitish Kumar resigning as Chief Minister, Choudhary stated that it would occur at the right time and in line with constitutional provisions.
Nitish Kumar is likely to step down as Chief Minister before being sworn in as a member of the Rajya Sabha. With his resignation from the Legislative Council, focus now shifts to who will succeed him, as this transition could mark a major change in Bihar’s political landscape after more than twenty years under his leadership.
