Bihar CM Nitish Kumar avoids assembly elections and continues to serve via the Legislative Council, focusing on state governance and long-term political strategy.
Nitish Kumar, the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar, has remained a central figure in state politics for decades without contesting assembly elections in recent years. Instead, he consistently chooses the Legislative Council (MLC) route to maintain his position in the state government, a strategy that has drawn attention from political analysts and voters alike.
Nitish Kumar’s Electoral Journey
Nitish Kumar initially contested Bihar Assembly elections in 1977, 1980, and 1985, winning only once in 1985. After that, he shifted focus to national politics, winning six Lok Sabha elections consecutively (1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2004). His first parliamentary victory came from Barh in 1989, a seat he retained for four consecutive terms. In 2004, he contested both Barh and Nalanda; losing Barh but winning Nalanda marked his last direct electoral contest.
Since November 2005, Nitish Kumar has served as Bihar’s Chief Minister, except for a brief nine-month period in 2014–15 when he resigned following the BJP’s Lok Sabha victory and political disagreements with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his absence, Jitan Ram Manjhi assumed office, but Nitish returned in 2015 ahead of assembly elections, winning a strong mandate in alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD, before rejoining the NDA in 2017.
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Why Nitish Prefers the Legislative Council Route
Nitish first became Chief Minister in 2000 without being a member of either House, resigning within eight days. In 2005, he took office again without being an MLA and subsequently entered the Legislative Council, a pattern he continues to this day. Bihar is among six Indian states with a Legislative Council, allowing ministers to serve without contesting direct assembly elections.
Nitish’s choice has often raised questions about avoiding direct electoral contests. However, he has defended it multiple times, stating during the Council’s centenary in 2012:
“I chose to become an MLC by choice and not because of any compulsion as the Upper House is a respectable institution.” He added that he would continue to be elected to the Council at the end of each six-year term.
Ahead of the 2015 Assembly elections, he emphasized that contesting one constituency would “limit his focus,” reinforcing his preference for the MLC path. He was re-elected in 2018 for a third consecutive term, completed it in 2024, and was re-elected again in March 2024, with his current tenure set to end in May 2030.
Looking Ahead to Bihar Assembly Elections 2025
The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled in two phases: November 6 and November 11, with votes to be counted on November 14, 2025. Nitish Kumar is expected to continue his MLC strategy, ensuring his leadership remains focused on state governance rather than individual constituencies.