First clear signal: Top JD(U) leader says supporters want Nitish Kumar’s son to ‘work for party’

In response to reporters’ questions on his plans, Nishant simply smiled.

Last week, Nitish Kumar’s elder brother, Satish Kumar, had also expressed a desire for his nephew to enter politics. “If needed, I will speak to the CM about Nishant,” said Satish during a visit to his paternal Kalyanbigha village in Nalanda.

Nishant Kumar had appeared before the media soon after the Bihar election results, in which the NDA won a landslide victory, thanking voters of Bihar for “voting overwhelmingly” for his father. He was also seen in a video congratulating his father and touching his feet.

JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar echoed similar sentiments as the party’s national working president. “Nishant Kumar has made five-six political statements in the last one year. It shows his political maturity and sets him apart from the loud breed of some young-generation leaders. He is ready to join politics. He is the future of the JD(U) because of his ability to take everyone along together. He has been very graceful in his conduct,” said Neeraj Kumar, who is also a JD(U) MLC.

A JD(U) leader close to CM House told The Indian Express, “The CM’s principled stand on not promoting dynastic politics has been a factor in holding back from projecting Nishant [as a future party leader] so far. However, the JD(U) has to do pragmatic politics if it is to survive and thrive as a party. Nishant Kumar alone can be a consensus leader in the JD(U) whenever Nitish Kumar decides to take a back seat.”

Nishant, an engineering graduate from BIT Mesra, is Nitish Kumar’s only son. He made his first media appearance last January at Bakhtiyarpur, when he praised governance under Nitish’s leadership and appealed for continued public support to his father.