Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to return as the national president of the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) unopposed, after being the only candidate to file nomination papers for the post on Thursday. Kumar had previously assumed party leadership in December 2023, taking over from colleague-turned-Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh.

Kumar first became the JD(U) national president in April 2016, succeeding senior leader Sharad Yadav. He was re-elected in 2019 but stepped down in 2020, paving the way for RCP Singh. With no challengers this time, he is expected to be formally declared elected unopposed on March 24, the last date for withdrawal of nominations.

“Most probably, Nitish will be the only person to file nomination for the post of national president. As he is the sole candidate, he would be declared ‘elected unopposed’ on March 24,” a senior JD(U) leader told the Times of India. National working president Sanjay Kumar Jha is likely to accompany Kumar during the filing process.

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The JD(U) recently concluded organisational polls at the state level, re-electing its state president Umesh Kushwaha, signalling continuity of the party’s Luv-Kush (Kurmi-Koeri) social base. The national party elections follow a schedule announced on March 16, 2026, outlining nomination, scrutiny, and polling dates.

According to JD(U) national general secretary Afaque Ahmad Khan, nominations can be filed until March 22, with scrutiny of papers scheduled for March 23. March 24 is the last date for withdrawals, and if more than one candidate remains, polling would take place on March 27.

Kumar’s return to the top post underscores the party’s focus on continuity in leadership ahead of forthcoming electoral challenges, consolidating its organisational and social base in Bihar while reaffirming his long-standing role as a key figure in the JD(U).

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