Bihar Politics Buzz: Will Nitish Kumar’s Son Nishant Become Deputy CM as BJP Takes Over?

Patna: Bihar’s political landscape may be on the verge of a major shake-up. Speculations are rife about whether veteran leader Nitish Kumar is planning to retire and if his son, Nishant Kumar, will be directly inducted as Deputy Chief Minister. The discussions have gained momentum following remarks by Sanjay Kumar Jha, the acting national president of JD(U).

According to Jha, every party worker and leader desires Nishant to enter politics, and now it is up to him to decide when to step in. Jha made this comment while returning to Patna from Delhi with Nishant Kumar, though the exact purpose of Nishant’s Delhi visit remains unknown.

Nishant Has Been in the Spotlight Since January
Since January this year, Nishant has occasionally made headlines for his political statements. At a family event in his native village Kalyan Bigha, he acknowledged the work his father has done for Bihar and expressed that continued leadership by his father is vital for the state’s development.

During rumors that BJP might block Nitish Kumar from becoming CM again, Nishant affirmed his trust in the NDA and stressed that his father deserves to be named the next Chief Minister. On the day he returned from Delhi with Sanjay Jha, Nishant highlighted his father’s focus on employment generation, referencing the promise of one crore jobs.

Fresh Speculations Around Nishant
Speculations about Nishant entering politics have surfaced repeatedly, suggesting that his political “launch” could happen soon. Neither he nor Nitish Kumar has publicly addressed these rumors. This time, the discussion gained traction because of Jha’s statement. As a senior JD(U) official, his words carry weight, especially following media reports that Union Home Minister Amit Shah inquired with senior JD(U) leaders Sanjay Jha and Union Minister Lalan Singh about Nitish Kumar’s exit plan.

What Role Will Nishant Play?
Questions remain about the capacity in which Nishant would serve. Some suggest he might take on a significant party role, while others speculate he could directly enter government. In either scenario, Nitish Kumar’s approval would be crucial. Known for his opposition to dynastic politics, Nitish has previously refrained from emulating leaders who promote family members in politics, including Laloo Prasad Yadav.

Following Laloo’s Footsteps?
While Laloo’s example may seem unlikely, it is instructive. After his conviction ended his active political role, Laloo launched his sons Tejashwi and Tej Pratap into politics, appointing them as Deputy CM and Minister, respectively. Speculation suggests that if Nitish plans to retire, he might similarly facilitate Nishant’s grand entry—possibly as Deputy CM while the BJP holds the Chief Minister’s office.

Other Political Precedents
Such dynastic entries are not unprecedented in Bihar. Upendra Kushwaha of RLSP recently launched his son Deepak Prakash into a ministerial role without him being a legislator, demonstrating the political feasibility of such moves.

With Bihar’s Legislative Council elections approaching next year, Nishant’s political debut could be strategically timed within the next six months.