Political shift in Bihar: 5 faces who are likely to replace Nitish Kumar

Patna: JD(U) supremo and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar filed his nomination papers for Rajya Sabha on Thursday, paving the way for BJP to name its CM in Bihar. Since the BJP has sprung surprises in selection of its CM in Delhi, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, five prominent names are doing the rounds in the political circles as the probable CM face after Nitish. Among the names doing the rounds are Samrat Choudhary, Nityanand Rai, Dilip Jaiswal, Sanjay Jaiswal and Janak Ram.

Samrat Choudhary: The deputy CM and home minister, he is considered the second most powerful minister after CM Nitish. A former BJP state chief, he belongs to the Koeri community and fits in the Luv-Kush chemistry promoted by Nitish, a Kurmi by caste. Koeris represent 4.21% of Bihar population. However, his RJD and JD(U) background may go against him for Bihar's top post. But his greatest strength is his aggressive style.




Nityanand Rai: The Union minister of state for home enjoys the confidence of Union home minister Amit Shah and can play a significant role in denting the RJD votes among his Yadav community. A former state BJP chief with the ABVP background, his elevation could send a powerful signal to the Yadav community. But many in BJP believe elevation to the top post in Bihar may antagonise the other OBC and EBC communities.

Dr Sanjay Jaiswal: The West Champaran MP since 2009 and a former BJP Bihar president, he is considered a suave but tough politician when it comes to taking on the opposition. The 60 years old is the son of late Madan Prasad Jaiswal, who was a three-time Lok Sabha member from Bettiah. Belonging to Vaishya community, he is considered close to the BJP leadership and fits in the party’s caste chemistry.

Dilip Jaiswal: A minister in the Nitish cabinet, he was the state BJP president when the NDA won 202 seats in the Nov assembly polls in Bihar. Jaiswal also belongs to the Vaishya (Kalwar) community and is considered close to Union home minister Amit Shah. A moderate and organisationally reliable leader, he belongs to Kishanganj in Seemanchal. Shah stayed at his Kishanganj residence during his recent 3-day Seemanchal visit.

Janak Ram: The 53-year-old Dalit face of BJP in Bihar, he was the minister of mines and SC and ST welfare in Bihar. A former Lok Sabha member from Gopalganj, Janak is an MLC and considered an organisational man. Having a master’s and LLB degrees, he belongs to the Ravidas community and maintains a low profile. He started his political career in the BJP at the grassroots level.