Samrat Choudhary meets Nitish Kumar in Patna over Bihar Council polls seat-sharing
Synopsis
Samrat Choudhary flew straight from Delhi to Nitish Kumar's Patna residence, signalling that NDA seat-sharing talks for Bihar's 10 Legislative Council seats are entering a decisive phase. With ministers Deepak Prakash and Nishant Kumar both potentially heading to the Council, the 18 June by-elections are shaping up as more than a routine alliance exercise.
Key Takeaways
Samrat Choudhary met Nitish Kumar at 7 Circular Road, Patna on 29 May , straight after returning from a two-day Delhi trip.
The meeting lasted over 15 minutes ; JD(U) National Executive President Sanjay Jha was also present.
By-elections for 10 Bihar Legislative Council seats are scheduled for 18 June .
BJP is expected to get 4 seats , JD(U) three, and one each to parties led by Upendra Kushwaha and Chirag Paswan .
Deepak Prakash (Kushwaha's son) and Nishant Kumar (Nitish Kumar's son, Health Minister) are among names being discussed for council berths.
The NDA is projected to win 9 of 10 seats based on Assembly strength; RJD likely to take one.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary met Janata Dal (United) National President and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his 7 Circular Road residence in Patna on Friday, 29 May, heading straight from the airport after a two-day trip to Delhi. The meeting, which lasted over 15 minutes, centred on seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Council elections scheduled for 18 June.
What Was Discussed
JD(U) National Executive President Sanjay Jha was also present at the meeting. According to sources, the leaders deliberated on the distribution of seats among National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners for the 10 council seats going to polls. Choudhary is also said to have briefed Kumar on his Delhi visit, during which he held discussions with several NDA leaders.
Expected Seat Distribution
Based on political estimates, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to secure four seats, while the JD(U) is expected to claim three. One seat each is reportedly set to go to the parties led by Upendra Kushwaha and Chirag Paswan. The NDA is expected to win nine of the ten seats comfortably, given its numerical dominance in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, with one seat likely going to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
Key Names in the Frame
Notably, Upendra Kushwaha is reportedly planning to send his son Deepak Prakash to the Legislative Council. Prakash currently serves as a minister without being a member of either House of the legislature. Speculation is also mounting around the possible entry of Nishant Kumar — Nitish Kumar's son and the incumbent Health Minister — into the Council, as he too holds no legislative membership. The remaining candidate names are yet to be finalised.
Political Context
The meeting carries added significance as it came a day after Nitish Kumar reportedly asked Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary to submit a report on the functioning of the government — a move that triggered fresh political speculation in the state. By-elections cover nine vacant seats plus the seat vacated by Nitish Kumar himself, totalling ten. Political analysts note that if the NDA contests all ten seats, a competitive outcome similar to the recent Rajya Sabha elections could emerge. Observers are reading Choudhary's immediate post-Delhi meeting with Kumar as a significant signal ahead of the 18 June polls.
Point of View
The Council by-elections will have served a succession-planning function as much as an alliance-management one. The parallel report sought from Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Chaudhary on government functioning adds a layer of internal signalling that mainstream coverage has largely overlooked.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Samrat Choudhary meet Nitish Kumar on 29 May?
Choudhary met Nitish Kumar to discuss seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Council by-elections scheduled for 18 June. He also briefed Kumar on meetings held during his two-day visit to Delhi with NDA leaders.
How many seats are up for election in the Bihar Legislative Council?
Ten seats are up for by-election on 18 June, comprising nine vacant seats and the seat previously held by Nitish Kumar himself.
How are the 10 seats expected to be divided among NDA partners?
According to political estimates, BJP is likely to get four seats, JD(U) three, and one seat each to the parties led by Upendra Kushwaha and Chirag Paswan. The NDA is projected to win nine of the ten seats overall, with one going to the RJD.
Who are the key names being considered for the Legislative Council?
Deepak Prakash, son of Upendra Kushwaha and a serving minister without legislative membership, is reportedly being fielded. Nishant Kumar, Nitish Kumar's son and the current Health Minister, is also being discussed as a possible council entrant.
What is the political significance of the Choudhary-Nitish Kumar meeting?
The meeting is seen as significant because it came a day after Nitish Kumar reportedly asked Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Chaudhary to submit a report on government functioning, fuelling speculation about internal NDA dynamics in Bihar ahead of the council polls.
