Nishant Kumar, son of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, will formally join the JD(U) on Saturday, marking his entry into active politics. The decision was taken at a meeting of JD(U) MPs, MLAs, MLCs, and senior leaders chaired by Nitish Kumar at his official residence, 1 Aney Marg, Patna, on Friday.
Following his induction into the party, Nishant is expected to embark on a statewide tour, a move leaders say will signal his political debut and bolster the organisation at the grassroots.
The meeting witnessed emotional moments as several party leaders urged Kumar to reconsider his decision to step down as chief minister and move to the Rajya Sabha in the coming weeks. “All the leaders present at the meeting unanimously noted that the people of the state were concerned over his decision to go to the Rajya Sabha. They also reaffirmed their support, remaining loyal soldiers of the party,” JD(U) MLC and spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh raised the demand for Nishant’s entry into politics on behalf of party members during the meeting, receiving backing from those present, though Nishant himself was not in attendance.
“Nishant will take JD(U) membership on Saturday. This decision reflects the wishes of the common people and party members. He will later tour the state. This is a masterstroke that may unsettle many others,” Neeraj Kumar added.
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Party leaders did not comment on speculation that Nishant could be made an MLC and sworn in as deputy chief minister once Kumar steps down and a new government is formed.
During the gathering, Kumar greeted legislators and party leaders with folded hands, assuring them of his continued guidance even after moving to Parliament. “I am going to the Rajya Sabha, but you all will not face any problem here. I will stay in Bihar as well. All ongoing work will continue, and I will oversee it,” he said.
Security was tightened around the chief minister’s residence, and the surrounding area was declared out of bounds for the public and JD(U) workers to prevent potential protests demanding that Kumar remain in office.
The Rajya Sabha elections for five Bihar seats are scheduled for March 16, with terms of sitting members ending on April 9. The NDA, holding 202 MLAs in the 243-member Assembly, is expected to win four seats comfortably. A contest is likely for the fifth seat after the RJD fielded sitting Rajya Sabha MP Amarendra Dhari Singh.