As Vice President post falls vacant, chatter grows around JD(U) chief’s candidacy; BJP walks tightrope amid upcoming state polls
The political grapevine in Delhi has been buzzing with one name all week: Nitish Kumar. But on Wednesday, the BJP finally stepped in to put some distance between itself and the growing chatter about the Bihar Chief Minister potentially being nominated as the NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate.
Senior party leaders, speaking both on and off record, said that “no final decision” has been taken and that the discussions are “at a very early stage.” That hasn’t stopped the media storm — or the statements from Bihar-based BJP allies, who seem more than a little enthusiastic about the idea.
Where the buzz started — and why it matters
It all kicked off after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s abrupt resignation earlier this week. His exit was unexpected and came at a time when the BJP-led NDA is recalibrating its alliances ahead of critical state elections in Bihar, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
The timing couldn’t be more delicate. The BJP, still short of a full majority in the Rajya Sabha, could use a politically palatable Vice President — someone with parliamentary experience and broader coalition appeal. Nitish Kumar ticks many of those boxes.
Then came a quiet but noticeable meeting between JD(U) minister Ram Nath Thakur and BJP president JP Nadda. Add to that the fact that some local BJP leaders in Bihar publicly backed the idea, and the rumour mill was suddenly in overdrive.
BJP leaders walk a careful line
The party leadership was quick to acknowledge the speculation — but just as quick to qualify it.
A senior BJP functionary told Moneycontrol, “We are still evaluating all options. The post of Vice President is important, and the name has to be decided by the top leadership after discussions within the NDA.”
Another leader, who did not want to be named, added, “The Vice Presidential elections are still weeks away. There’s no urgency. But yes, the idea of giving the post to an ally is not off the table.”
Bihar BJP leaders turn cheerleaders
Interestingly, while the BJP’s central command is being cautious, several Bihar BJP leaders have been anything but subtle in their support for Nitish Kumar’s elevation.
Here’s what some of them said:
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Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul, BJP MLA: “It would be a matter of great pride for Bihar. Nitishji has a long administrative record. Bihar ke liye saubhagya ki baat hogi.”
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Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu, BJP Minister: “He’s an experienced leader. If he becomes the Vice President, the state will be honored.”
Both leaders emphasized that while the final decision lies with the party high command, Nitish’s name deserves serious consideration.
One sentence summed it all up: “It’s a matter of dignity and recognition for Bihar.”
What’s in it for BJP — and for Nitish?
On the surface, the move would be a graceful political send-off for a regional heavyweight who has been both a friend and a thorn for the BJP over the years. But scratch a little deeper, and it’s more strategic than symbolic.
For BJP:
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A graceful exit for Nitish would clear the decks in Bihar ahead of assembly polls
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Elevating an NDA ally reinforces coalition unity before 2026 Rajya Sabha elections
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It takes Nitish out of state politics without confrontation, avoiding a messy political standoff
For Nitish Kumar:
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He ends his decades-long political career on a constitutional high
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Escapes Bihar’s increasingly fractured political landscape
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Retains relevance in national politics, albeit in a different role
Opposition watches closely, questions motive
Predictably, the Opposition hasn’t stayed silent.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was quick to call the speculation a “BJP trap” meant to sideline Nitish Kumar ahead of Bihar elections. “They know they can’t beat him directly, so they want to kick him upstairs,” he told a local reporter.
Congress functionaries, too, questioned the optics of the move. “Why is the BJP considering a Vice President nominee even before Dhankhar’s resignation dust has settled? There’s a political game at play,” said one AICC office bearer.
Still, the Congress has not ruled out supporting a consensus candidate, especially if the name comes from within the NDA but is seen as moderate and experienced.
What happens next?
While the Vice Presidential election date hasn’t been formally announced yet, political insiders expect the schedule to be released within a week.
The BJP Parliamentary Board — the party’s highest decision-making body — is expected to meet in early August. That’s when real clarity may emerge. For now, Nitish Kumar continues to play it cool.
According to JD(U) sources, the Bihar Chief Minister has made no public comments on the matter. But those close to him suggest he’s “aware of the buzz and not entirely surprised.”
The question now is whether that buzz translates into a formal nomination — or if it’s just another twist in the endlessly dramatic saga that is Indian coalition politics.
