Bihar Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh resigns, JD(U)'s Ramvachan Rai tipped for post
Synopsis
Bihar's ruling NDA alliance is reshuffling its constitutional deck — BJP's Awadhesh Narayan Singh has quit as Legislative Council Chairman under reported party instruction, clearing the way for JD(U) to claim the post. Deputy Chairman Prof. Dr Ramvachan Rai is the front-runner, in what amounts to a negotiated correction of a BJP-heavy institutional balance.
Key Takeaways
Awadhesh Narayan Singh resigned as Bihar Legislative Council Chairman on 21 September 2026 .
The resignation reportedly came after the BJP leadership asked him to step down as part of a power-sharing deal with JD(U) .
The Council Chairman's post is now expected to go to the JD(U) , according to reports.
Deputy Chairman Prof.
Dr Ramvachan Rai , elected unopposed in July 2024 , is the leading contender for the chairmanship.
The BJP currently holds the Chief Minister's post and the Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker's position.
The formal process for electing a new Chairman is yet to be completed; Rai is likely to serve as Acting Chairman in the interim.
Bihar Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh resigned from his post on 21 September 2026, setting off fresh speculation over the rebalancing of key constitutional positions within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state. The development is widely seen as part of a negotiated power-sharing realignment between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its principal ally, the Janata Dal (United).
Why Singh Stepped Down
According to reports, the BJP leadership asked Awadhesh Narayan Singh to vacate the Chairman's post as part of a broader understanding reached between the two NDA partners. The BJP currently holds the Chief Minister's post and the Speaker's position in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, and has also occupied the Legislative Council Chairman's post — a concentration of key positions that the JD(U) had reportedly been seeking to redress.
With Singh's resignation, the Council Chairman's post is now expected to pass to the JD(U), according to multiple reports. The formal process for electing a new Chairman is yet to be completed.
Ramvachan Rai Emerges as Top Contender
The name of incumbent Deputy Chairman Prof. Dr Ramvachan Rai has emerged as the leading contender for the chairmanship. Rai was elected unopposed as Deputy Chairman in July 2024 and has been associated with the Council for several years. In the interim, he is likely to take charge as Acting Chairman, given his position as the sitting Deputy Chairman.
The BJP-JD(U) Power Equation in Bihar
The development sheds light on the internal negotiations that routinely accompany coalition governance in Bihar. The BJP and JD(U), though bound by the NDA arrangement, have historically calibrated the distribution of constitutional and administrative posts with considerable care. Notably, the current phase follows the formation of a new government in Bihar, which triggered fresh rounds of discussion over the allocation of key positions.
With the BJP retaining the Chief Ministership and the Assembly Speakership, handing the Legislative Council chairmanship to JD(U) would provide Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's party a significant constitutional foothold — a move analysts say is consistent with the JD(U)'s effort to assert institutional parity within the alliance.
What Happens Next
The formal appointment of a new Council Chairman is yet to be completed. Once the election process is initiated, Prof. Dr Ramvachan Rai is widely expected to be the JD(U)'s candidate, given his incumbency as Deputy Chairman and his long association with the Council. The outcome will also be watched as a signal of how the broader NDA compact in Bihar intends to navigate post-formation power arithmetic ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Point of View
And the BJP's willingness to surrender a constitutional post it has occupied signals that Nitish Kumar's JD(U) retains enough leverage to demand institutional parity — even in a formation where the BJP holds the Chief Ministership. What is notable is the sequence: the BJP reportedly directed the resignation before a public demand became necessary, suggesting the two parties prefer managed optics over open friction. The real question is whether this rebalancing holds as Bihar moves closer to the next assembly election cycle, or whether it merely defers a deeper tension over the NDA's leadership hierarchy in the state.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Awadhesh Narayan Singh resign as Bihar Legislative Council Chairman?
Awadhesh Narayan Singh resigned on 21 September 2026 after the BJP leadership reportedly asked him to step down as part of a negotiated power-sharing arrangement with ally JD(U). The move is aimed at rebalancing the distribution of key constitutional posts between the two NDA partners in Bihar.
Who is likely to become the next Bihar Legislative Council Chairman?
Deputy Chairman Prof. Dr Ramvachan Rai of the JD(U) has emerged as the leading contender, according to reports. Rai was elected unopposed as Deputy Chairman in July 2024 and is expected to serve as Acting Chairman until the formal election process is completed.
What constitutional posts does the BJP currently hold in Bihar?
The BJP currently holds the Chief Minister's post and the Speaker's position in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. It had also held the Legislative Council Chairman's post, which is now expected to be transferred to the JD(U) under the reported understanding.
What does this change mean for BJP-JD(U) relations in Bihar?
The post realignment reflects an ongoing effort to maintain institutional parity within the NDA coalition in Bihar. By ceding the Council chairmanship to JD(U), the BJP signals a willingness to share constitutional authority, which analysts say is critical for coalition stability ahead of future elections.
Has a new Bihar Legislative Council Chairman been formally appointed?
No formal appointment has been made as of 21 September 2026. The election process for a new Chairman is yet to be initiated, and Prof. Dr Ramvachan Rai is expected to assume charge as Acting Chairman in the interim period.
