India, March 5 -- Nitish Kumar, 75, is likely to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha as a Janata Dal (United) nominee on Thursday, people aware of the matter said, triggering speculation over who will replace him as the Bihar chief minister months after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) swept back to power in the state.

Thursday is the last day for filing nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections. Kumar's son, Nishant, who is set to join the JD(U) on Thursday, is likely to be inducted as a deputy chief minister.

The JD(U) has made no formal announcement about the likely developments. The party can win two Rajya Sabha seats on its own and help an NDA candidate secure another. The JD(U) has not named any candidates.

On Wednesday...