Top News

digital desk- Once again the discussion regarding succession has intensified in Bihar politics. Amid ongoing speculations regarding the increasing age and health of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, internal churning has started regarding the role of his son Nishant Kumar in Janata Dal United (JDU). A large section of the party believes that after Nitish Kumar, Nishant Kumar coming forward to keep JDU united is not only necessary but is also becoming a compulsion. According to sources associated with JDU, there has been a demand within the party for a long time that Nishant Kumar should be brought into active politics. Leaders and workers argue that after Nitish Kumar, if any face can handle the party, then he should be from the family. In this context, the JDU National Executive meeting to be held in Delhi in March this year is being considered very important. It is believed that through this meeting some indication can be given regarding Nishant Kumar’s active role in politics.

Serious discussion going on regarding two options

Party sources say that currently two options are being seriously discussed regarding Nishant Kumar. The first option is to make him a member of the National Executive of JDU, so that he can be involved in the process of major decisions of the party. The second option is being told to make him the General Secretary and familiarize him with the intricacies of the organization and conduct organizational tours across Bihar. Party leaders believe that this will give Nishant experience of grassroots politics and his acceptance among the workers will also increase. Enthusiasm is already being seen among party workers regarding Nishant Kumar. Posters, banners and social media campaigns have been run in his support in many districts including Patna. Banners with slogans like ‘Nitish Sevak, Mange Nishant’ were put up on the intersections and golambars of the capital Patna, in which Nishant Kumar was even described as the future and successor of JDU. It is clear from this that a section within the party is preparing to move forward considering him as the next face.

Nishant Kumar’s presence has been seen on many occasions in the past

Nishant Kumar’s public presence has also increased in recent months. After the last elections, he was seen in some programs and was also seen sitting in the front row at the swearing-in ceremony of Nitish Kumar. This was also seen as a sign of his entry into politics. JDU working president Sanjay Jha has also admitted in his statements that party workers want to see Nishant in politics, although the final decision has to be taken by Nitish Kumar only. However, Nitish Kumar’s political record so far has been against nepotism. During the last assembly elections, when some leaders had suggested Nishant Kumar to contest from Nalanda seat, Nitish had clearly refused. Party leaders say that if Nitish Kumar had already wanted to make Nishant his successor, he would have been groomed by now.

Earlier experiments were not successful

Despite this, the belief is getting stronger within JDU that in the changing circumstances, if the party has to be saved from disintegration after Nitish, then someone from the family will have to be brought forward. First an attempt was made to make RCP Singh his successor, but that experiment was not successful. In such a situation, now Nishant Kumar is the only face whom party workers can easily accept. This is the reason why speculations are being made that Nitish Kumar can take a major decision regarding his successor during his current tenure.