Patna: A group of women staged a protest in Patna on Sunday, demanding that Nishant Kumar be appointed chief minister if Nitish Kumar steps down from the post.
The demonstration, organised by ‘Sudhar Vahini’, took place at Gandhi Maidan, where participants gathered beneath the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and launched a satyagraha.
Protesters said they would prefer Nishant Kumar to succeed his father, arguing that they had confidence in his leadership and would find it difficult to trust other political figures.
Pratibha Singh, national president of Sudhar Vahini, said members were concerned about reports of Nitish Kumar stepping down and believed continuity in leadership was important.
She described Nishant Kumar as a “simple and grounded” individual who could carry forward existing policies and maintain public trust, particularly among women.
Another participant, Vibha, said many women in the state did not want Nitish Kumar to resign, citing his record on women’s empowerment.
The protest comes amid growing political speculation over a potential leadership change in Bihar following Nitish Kumar’s expected move to the Rajya Sabha. No official announcement has been made regarding succession, and leaders within the ruling alliance have said a decision will be taken collectively.
Observers say the development reflects the heightened political activity in the state, with various groups attempting to influence the leadership debate ahead of any transition.
