Nitish Kumar’s Son Nishant Poised for Political Debut, JD-U Leadership Signals Support

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, is on the verge of entering active politics, with JD-U national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha publicly endorsing his potential role during an interaction at Patna Airport on Friday. Jha, a close confidant of the CM, stated that party members, well-wishers, and supporters are eager for Nishant to join and take on major responsibilities, adding, "We all want the same, but now it is up to him to decide when he will join."

Speculation about Nishant's political debut has swirled for months, particularly ahead of the recent Bihar Assembly elections, where many in the JD-U and NDA alliance urged him to contest from Nitish's home turf of Nalanda. However, the JD-U secured a strong majority without fielding him, allowing the party to form the government comfortably. Jha's remarks mark a significant escalation, signalling the leadership's readiness to integrate Nishant while deferring the final call to the CM.

Nishant, 49, who has largely stayed out of the limelight, focusing on his father's campaigns and party affairs, has been vocal in praising the NDA's emphatic victory. Speaking to reporters at the airport, he credited the win to the people's blessings and reaffirmed faith in Nitish's leadership: "My father fulfilled his earlier promises, and this time too he will definitely fulfil the promise of creating one crore jobs and employment opportunities."

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The JD-U has long maintained an open door for Nishant, repeatedly stating he is welcome to assume key roles, but emphasised that the decision rests with Nitish Kumar, known for his aversion to dynastic politics despite occasional family involvement. Nishant's entry could bolster the party's youth outreach, especially as Nitish, 74, continues to defy retirement speculation.

Political analysts view Jha's endorsement as a strategic move to consolidate the JD-U's image as a forward-looking outfit amid the NDA's Bihar dominance. With Nishant's engineering background and clean public image, he could target urban constituencies or youth-focused initiatives, potentially contesting in upcoming bypolls or Lok Sabha seats.

As Bihar's political landscape evolves post-elections, Nishant Kumar's potential debut represents a delicate balance between legacy and meritocracy in Nitish's long-standing JD-U, with the family and party brass treading carefully to avoid perceptions of nepotism.

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