Manjhi Signals Samrat Choudhary as Nitish Kumar’s Possible Successor in Bihar

Brief By Newsbrief / 10:00 AM on 20 Mar 2026

At an Iftar gathering in Patna, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi hinted that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may be inclined towards Samrat Choudhary as his preferred successor, triggering fresh political speculation in Bihar. Manjhi suggested that Kumar’s decisions often reflect his intent clearly, and any transition aligned with his choice would likely be accepted within the NDA.

The event, attended by several senior NDA leaders, including Choudhary, became a platform for discussions on Bihar’s future leadership. However, Nitish Kumar has not officially named any successor so far.

Meanwhile, political tensions intensified as NDA leaders criticised RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, questioning his political engagement and leadership role. On the other hand, JD(U) leaders highlighted Kumar’s governance track record and ongoing outreach programs like ‘Samriddhi Yatra’.

Manjhi’s remarks have added momentum to succession debates, signaling possible shifts within Bihar’s political landscape ahead of future elections.