JD(U) announces schedule for party president’s election; Nitish Kumar likely to be re-elected

The ruling Janata Dal (United) on Monday (March 16, 2026) announced the date for the election of its national president, on the day polls were held to elect Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to the Rajya Sabha, with the party leader likely to retain the post.

According to party sources, nomination papers for the election will be filed on March 22 and can be withdrawn by March 24. If more than one nomination is filed, polling will be conducted on March 27. Mr. Kumar is currently holding the posts of both the party’s national president and the Chief Minister of Bihar. In all likelihood, he would be re-elected to the position. Sanjay Kumar Jha is currently the party’s national working president.

“After being elected to the Rajya Sabha, Nitish Kumar would have (greater) opportunities to shape national political strategy while maintaining control over the party’s organisation,” said a senior party leader on the condition of anonymity. “In that way, he would continue to be regarded as the central figure in the party’s organisational and political leadership,” he said.

Another party leader who also preferred not to be named said, “Mr. Kumar is likely to re-assume charge as the party’s national president again. Any contest for the party’s top post is unlikely as the position has historically been decided through consensus.”

Mr. Kumar has been the Chief Minister of Bihar for over two decades and has also held the party’s top organisational post for several years. His name recently figured among the five NDA candidates from the State for the Rajya Sabha election held on Monday. With the NDA having the required strength in the Assembly, all five candidates are set to win the poll. They are expected to take the oath as members of the Upper House on April 10 after the terms of the five outgoing candidates end on April 9.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister is scheduled to launch the fourth-phase of the Samriddhi Yatra on March 17 from Bhagalpur and Banka districts, which will culminate on March 20 in Gaya and Aurangabad districts. During this phase of the yatra, Mr. Kumar would review government works and projects and lay foundation stones for several sachems. The visit will cover Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui, Nawada, Munger, Lakhisarai, Gaya and Aurangabad districts. The third phase of the campaign, held on March 14, was undertaken in Madhepura, Supaul, Katihar, Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, Saharsa, Begusarai, Khagaria and Sheikhpura districts.

The first phase of the yatra was held between January 16 and January 24, beginning in West Champaran district and covering East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Gopalganj, Saran, Siwan, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali. In the second leg of the campaign undertaken from January 27 to 29, Mr. Kumar visited Darbhanga, Madhubani and Samastipur districts. The yatra was temporarily discontinued because of the nearly month-long Budget session of the State legislature. Earlier, from December 2024 to February 2025, the Chief Minister had also undertaken the Pragati Yatra across the state.

With the announcement of the election schedule for the party’s top post, several party leaders said that Mr. Kumar’s leadership would remain crucial for maintaining stability in the organisation.