Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, will formally join the Janata Dal (United) on Sunday, just days after his father stepped down from the top post and filed his nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections. Nishant's entry into active politics has already created ripples in Bihar, with observers viewing it as a significant step in the party's power transition.
JD(U) MLA Hari Narayan Singh, a close aide of Nitish Kumar, confirmed to a TV channel that the party has unanimously decided to make Nishant the deputy chief minister in the new government. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), being the single largest party, is expected to hold the chief minister's post for the first time in the key Hindi heartland state.
Singh further explained that Nishant will be elected to the state legislative council next month, as he needs to be a member of the legislature to assume a constitutional role. The decision was made during a meeting at Nitish Kumar's residence, where the party supremo briefed colleagues about his decision to relinquish the CM post and move to the Rajya Sabha.
"At the legislature party meeting held at the CM's residence yesterday, a unanimous decision was made to appoint Nishant as the deputy CM in the new government," Singh said.
He added, “Since Nishant must become a member of the legislature to hold a constitutional post, he will be elected to the legislative council in April during the biennial elections for nine seats.” However, he clarified that Nishant might not necessarily contest from the seat left vacant by his father’s resignation.
Patna, Bihar: On CM Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar, JDU National General Secretary Manish Kumar Verma says, "For a long time, JDU workers have been urging that Nishant Kumar enter politics..." pic.twitter.com/ElGtimt8VC
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JD(U) national working president Sanjay Jha announced that Nishant would formally join the party on Sunday at 1 pm and begin his political activities by meeting with party youth MLAs and MLCs to discuss future strategies.
"It is Nitish ji's party, and it carries the legacy of his 20 years of work. Even though people may feel that he is heading to the Rajya Sabha, the Bihar government will continue to function under his guidance until 2025-30," Jha said.
Nitish Kumar's resignation, just four months after being sworn in for his fifth consecutive term, has shocked many, with party workers staging protests across Bihar demanding his continued leadership.
Speculation abounds that his resignation came under pressure from the BJP. Opposition leaders have alleged that Nitish Kumar is being driven out of Bihar, with the saffron party denying him an honorable exit.
