Patna: (ABN) Who will be Bihar's new Chief Minister? Will Nityanand Rai, the Union Minister of State for Home, who has been preparing since 2020, take over as the Chief Minister of Bihar? Or will Union Minister Giriraj Singh's earlier announcement come true that Sumrat Chaudhary will move from the post of Deputy Chief Minister to the Chief Minister's chair? Shreesi Singh's name is also being discussed as a female candidate. On the other hand, there is also a discussion about making Nitesh Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, the Chief Minister in place of him, who is going to Delhi under pressure. But, amidst all this, BJP leaders are also worried that a surprising name may emerge as the Chief Minister.

Former BJP state president Nityanand Rai belongs to the Yadav community and is the Union Minister of State for Home. His name was widely discussed during the 2020 Bihar elections. In the caste census in Bihar, the highest number of Hindus was found among the Yadavs. The Yadav community is the core voter base of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, which is the largest party facing the NDA in Bihar politics. This is why the BJP called Ram Kripal Yadav to weaken Lalu Prasad Yadav. Therefore, Nityanand Rai is considered a strong claimant for the post of Chief Minister from the BJP.

Sumrat Chaudhary, who joined the BJP from other parties, was the state president of Bihar when Nitish Kumar was the Chief Minister of the Grand Alliance. Sumrat had promised that he would wear his turban until Nitish Kumar was removed from the post. Later, Nitish returned to the NDA, and Sumrat Chaudhary became his Deputy Chief Minister. He gave up his turban. Sumrat Chaudhary was seen as a candidate to lead the BJP in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, but since there is no record of becoming Deputy Chief Minister, the BJP has not given him any indication yet. It is said that Sumrat Chaudhary belongs to the Kushwaha community, which will help the BJP strengthen against the JDU. The BJP has seen its impact in the elections, so his chances may or may not be.

Nitish Kumar did not intend to bring his son Nishant Kumar into politics in this way, but the politics of pressure around his Rajya Sabha election has given a boost to the growing political fervor within the JDU. Nishant Kumar is relatively new to politics. Looking at the intra-party dynamics within the JDU, he wants the return of RCP Singh. If RCP joins, it will be an easy path for Nishant. RCP had briefly joined the BJP, but his name is still being prominently mentioned by the anti-upper caste group within the JDU. The JDU may insist on making Nishant the Chief Minister, although in the BJP's plan, he can become the Deputy Chief Minister in place of Nitish.

When Nitan Naveen was made the BJP president, it was said that he would be kept in Delhi for some time for preparation and then he would become the Chief Minister of Bihar. This discussion was suddenly stopped as the question of changing the Chief Minister arose, as Nitan's name was announced for the Rajya Sabha under preparations to make him resign from the Assembly.

Now, if the BJP takes shelter in any other strategy, it will not be surprising. The Bihar elections are over. The elections are about five years away. In such a situation, making a new face the Chief Minister will not make a difference for the sake of experience. The BJP has been doing this, which is why state leaders are not speaking openly. This is why Sanjeev Chaurasia's name is also being discussed.