Patna: As Bihar heads towards assembly elections, the political spotlight has turned to Nishant Kumar, the only son of chief minister Nitish Kumar. Demands for his entry into active politics are growing louder, but the issue has stirred sharp debate within the Janata Dal (United).
For the first time, the party’s national working president, Sanjay Kumar Jha, publicly endorsed Nishant, saying he is capable and should be active in politics. Until now, Jha had maintained that such a decision rested solely with Nitish Kumar. At the grassroots level, JDU workers have been more direct, putting up posters outside the party’s state office in Patna that describe Nishant as the heir of Nitish’s politics of public service.
But the move has not been welcomed by everyone inside the party. Several senior leaders close to Nitish argue that bringing Nishant into politics would undermine his long-cultivated image as a leader who stands firmly against dynasty politics. They fear that his entry would tarnish Nitish’s reputation as someone who built his career on development and governance rather than family legacy.
Nishant himself has largely stayed away from political activity. He is rarely seen at party events and avoids direct questions about contesting elections, never offering a clear yes or no. However, he has occasionally used public platforms and media appearances to call for another term for his father, praising Nitish’s record in governance and development.
The growing calls for Nishant’s entry into politics highlight a tension that has long existed within the JDU. For many workers, his presence could energise the party, but for others, it risks undoing one of Nitish Kumar’s strongest political narratives: his stand against dynastic politics.
