New Delhi: Nishant Kumar, the son of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Janata Dal (United) leader, is preparing for his political debut ahead of the state’s Assembly elections later this year. Sources told The Indian Express that Nishant is expected to enter politics after Holi due to rising demand from party workers.
He is waiting for approval from his father, Nitish Kumar. Despite being in his 70s, Nitish remains Bihar’s longest-serving CM. Nishant’s name has circulated within JD(U) for a year, though initially, many leaders downplayed his political role. On January 8, he joined his father in unveiling freedom fighters’ statues.
Who is Nishant Kumar?
Nishant Kumar, born on July 20, 1975, is the only son of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Manju Sinha, who passed away in 2007. A software engineer by profession, Nishant graduated from the Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Mesra. At 49, he has remained largely out of the public eye, staying away from most political events.
In July last year, Nishant dismissed rumours about his entry into politics, saying that he had chosen a spiritual path. However, he did attend his father’s oath-taking ceremony in 2015, after which JD(U) leader Shravan Kumar suggested that Nishant might eventually join politics. He indicated that a decision would be made at the right time.
Nishant’s political entry
Nishant’s potential political debut is intriguing, especially considering his father’s stance against dynastic politics. Nitish Kumar has been a vocal critic of parties like RJD and LJP for promoting family-based politics. JD(U) leader Pram Hans Kumar, however, defended the idea of Nishant’s entry, saying that if a leader with a clean image has a son willing to serve, there’s nothing wrong with it.
Opposition parties, including RJD and Congress, reacted strongly to Nishant’s support for his father, saying that Nitish Kumar’s popularity might be fading and he was looking to pass on his legacy. On the other hand, JD(U) and BJP defended the move, praising Nishant as a future leader and highlighting Nitish Kumar’s contributions to Bihar.
