After helming Bihar for over 20 years, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced his surprise exit from state politics, paving the way for a BJP Chief Minister.Flanked by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Nitish, who turned 75 on March 1, filed his papers for the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections alongside other NDA nominees–BJP president Nitin Nabin, state general secretary Shivesh Kumar; JD(U)’s Ram Nath Thakur and RLM president Upendra Kushwaha.“From the very beginning of my parliamentary journey, there has been a desire in my heart to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament. In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time,” Nitish said, framing his decision as a voluntary move.Shah too generously praised the JD(U) chief, saying over the past two decades, his “dedicated leadership for the welfare of Bihar’s people had liberated the state from jungle raj and propelled it to development and good governance”.“Your extensive experience in public service and deep understanding of policy-making will make the Rajya Sabha proceedings even more effective. Your esteemed presence will further strengthen the NDA’s resolve of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’,” Shah said to Nitish even as the Opposition camp saw red.RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav said the BJP had done a Maharashtra in Bihar. NDA sources, however, insisted Nitish had chosen the timing of his decision. The next moves will now involve the likely anointment of Nitish’s son Nishant (50) as Deputy Chief Minister of the state. This would mean a dream launch for Nishant, who entered politics only last week.The bigger move would be the installation of a BJP Chief Minister in Bihar with the names of Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai doing the rounds. While Choudhary is an OBC, Rai is a Yadav. While a section in the BJP feels the party must replace Nitish, an OBC, with another OBC, another believes the BJP should bet on an upper caste CM.“This way, the BJP can send a message to upper castes who have been upset over recent gaffes, including UGC equity guidelines, ‘Ghooskhor Pandit’ OTT series and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s face-off with Swami Avimukteshwaranand in UP,” said a Sangh Parivar source.BJP sources said Nitish’s return to national politics was imminent after the BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the state in two back-to-back elections (2020 and 2025).Known for political pragmatism, Nitish, who has taken oath as Bihar CM 10 times, made a switch days after launching his son in politics.Sources said given Nitish’s past machinations that always outstepped the rivals, no one should underestimate the CM. “‘Picture abhi baaki hai’ (the picture is not over yet),” said former Nitish aide Pawan Verma.Meanwhile, some JD(U) leaders feared a possible JD(U)-BJP merger. Saryu Roy, JD(U)’s lone MLA in Jharkhand, said Nitish’s Rajya Sabha foray was “pre-planned to sideline him as the CM”. Not everyone in the JD(U) agrees though. A senior leader said Nitish had never decided under duress. He pointed out that when Nitish returned to NDA in January 2024 on the eve of 18th Lok Sabha elections, it was his fifth flip-flop since 2013 but he continued to be the CM.“It is hard to dictate terms to Nitish Kumar. His outmanoeuvring skills are hard to miss,” said a political observer, recalling the Bihar CM’s career. Nitish cut his teeth in the Jayaprakash Narayan movement, winning his first Assembly election from Harnaut in 1985. In 1989, he entered the Lok Sabha and became a minister in the VP Singh council.Sensing Lalu Yadav’s prominence, he quit the Janata Dal in 1995, formed Samata Party and aligned with the BJP for the 1996 LS poll. Thereafter, he formed the JD(U) with Sharad Yadav and fought the 2005 Bihar elections in alliance with the BJP. In 2005, the BJP agreed to back Nitish as CM. He has not looked back since. Whether he has been outmanoeuvred by the BJP this time, only time will tell.