Ram Bachan Rai Takes Charge as Bihar Legislative Council Chairman After Awadhesh Narain Singh Resigns

Senior Janata Dal (United) leader Ram Bachan Rai has taken charge as Chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council following the resignation of BJP leader Awadhesh Narain Singh from the post on September 28, 2026.

Singh submitted his resignation to Rai, who was serving as the Deputy Chairperson of the Bihar Legislative Council. Rai subsequently assumed charge as Acting Chairman and later took over as the new Chairman of the Upper House.

Awadhesh Narain Singh Resigns

Awadhesh Narain Singh, a BJP MLC and former Chairperson of the Bihar Legislative Council, resigned from the post on Monday, September 28.

He submitted his resignation to Deputy Chairperson Ram Bachan Rai. Singh had served as Chairperson on multiple occasions and had been holding the position since June 2024.

In his resignation statement, Singh recalled his long association with the BJP and his nearly 33 years as a member of the Bihar Legislative Council. He also expressed gratitude to party leaders and workers for their support during his political career.

Singh remains a member of the Bihar Legislative Council after stepping down from the Chairperson's post.

Ram Bachan Rai Takes Charge

Following Singh's resignation, Ram Bachan Rai assumed charge as Acting Chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council.

Rai was previously serving as Deputy Chairperson, a position he had held since July 2024. He is a senior JD(U) leader and has been a member of the Bihar Legislative Council for several years.

Later reports confirmed Rai's elevation as the new Chairman of the Council. His appointment brings a JD(U) leader to the presiding position of the Bihar Legislative Council.

Ram Bachan Rai's Political and Academic Background

Rai is also known for his academic and literary background. He was a professor and Head of the Hindi Department at Patna University and has been associated with Bihar's literary and political circles.

His political journey dates back to the 1974 Jayaprakash Narayan Movement. He entered the Bihar Legislative Council in 2004 and later joined the JD(U) in 2011 after previously being associated with the RJD. He was nominated to the Council under the Governor's quota in 2021.

Rai's current MLC term is scheduled to continue until March 16, 2027.

BJP-JD(U) Power-Sharing Arrangement

The leadership change comes in the context of the power-sharing arrangement between the BJP and JD(U), the two principal parties in Bihar's ruling NDA.

The BJP holds the Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker's position, with BJP leader Prem Kumar serving as Speaker. The Legislative Council Chairperson's position has now gone to the JD(U), with Ram Bachan Rai taking charge.

The change therefore affects the distribution of key presiding positions between the two NDA partners in Bihar's legislature.

JD(U) Leadership Backs Rai

The Hindu had reported before Rai's elevation that sources within the ruling JD(U) said party chief Nitish Kumar favoured Rai for the Chairperson's position. Rai was described as being close to Kumar.

That report was published while Singh's resignation had just been announced and before Rai formally assumed the responsibilities of the Chairperson. Subsequent reports confirmed that Rai took charge following Singh's resignation.

Change in Bihar Legislative Council Leadership

The transition marks a change in the political affiliation of the Council's presiding officer, from BJP's Awadhesh Narain Singh to JD(U)'s Ram Bachan Rai.

The Bihar Legislative Council is the upper house of Bihar's bicameral legislature. The Chairperson presides over proceedings of the Council and performs key responsibilities in the functioning of the House.

Rai's assumption of the position comes as the ruling NDA continues to manage important legislative responsibilities between its principal partners, BJP and JD(U).

Bihar Politics and Legislative Developments

The leadership change is taking place amid continued political activity in Bihar following the 2025 Assembly election and ahead of upcoming legislative developments.

For the ruling NDA, the distribution of legislative positions between BJP and JD(U) remains an important part of the functioning of the state legislature. Rai's elevation gives the JD(U) the Chairperson's position in the Legislative Council, while the BJP continues to hold the Assembly Speaker's office.

Current Status

As of September 29, 2026, Ram Bachan Rai is the Chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council, succeeding BJP leader Awadhesh Narain Singh.

The change followed Singh's resignation on September 28, after which Rai first assumed charge as Acting Chairman and subsequently took over as the Council's Chairman.

Expert View

The resignation of Awadhesh Narain Singh and Ram Bachan Rai's elevation changes the leadership of Bihar's Legislative Council from the BJP to the JD(U). The development also reflects the distribution of key legislative positions between the BJP and JD(U) within Bihar's ruling NDA.