New Delhi: Eight weeks into politics, Nishant Kumar, former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s son, took oath as state minister Thursday. Nishant had stayed out of the cabinet when Samrat Chaudhary took oath as Chief Minister on 15 April along with JD(U) stalwarts Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav as deputies.
Nitish then had reservations about his son becoming a minister, a move that would expose him to the charge of promoting dynastic politics. The JD(U) chief relented later.
The oath-taking ceremony took place in Patna with ministers from the BJP, JD(U) and other NDA allies being sworn in as the Bihar Cabinet underwent a major expansion following Nitish’s shift to the Rajya Sabha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony at Gandhi Maidan along with senior BJP leaders and Union ministers, including home minister Amit Shah.
Several JD(U) leaders maintain that Nishant himself wasn’t willing to join the cabinet earlier.
“We have been trying to persuade him for months now, and he finally agreed after launching the Sadbhav Yatra which has been put on hold for today, and will resume on the 9th. Although he had refused to join the cabinet earlier, senior JD(U) members stressed that it was vital for the party’s stability and growth, and he finally agreed,” a senior party leader told ThePrint.
Nishant Sunday launched his first major political outreach, the Sadbhav Yatra, aiming to strengthen his party at the grassroots level.
The party leader said that JD(U) leaders were able to prevail upon Nishant during the yatra.
“As part of the yatra, he met a number of party workers and the public. Many came to him with their day-to-day problems, and leaders explained to Nishant that giving commands to other ministers or the government without official authority would not be wise. If he wanted to bring about change and help the people, he would have to be part of the government,” he explained.
Not only this, many felt that being part of the government would also benefit the party, considering Nishant is now active in JD(U) affairs too.
“The way Nishant has started the yatra and connected with party workers shows his commitment. His oath-taking and becoming part of the cabinet can be viewed as another step towards succession,” said a second leader.
Many within the JD(U) believe his inclusion in the state cabinet is a step towards his eventual succession, ensuring Nitish’s legacy continues.
Nishant had taken the political plunge in March when he officially joined the JD(U). His father was not present during his joining.
According to JD(U) leaders, Nishant first wanted to “earn” the position and trust of the people before joining the Bihar Cabinet. However, after launching the yatra, senior leaders apprised him of what the party workers wanted: for him to join the cabinet.
“Nishant joined Bihar politics only after his father decided to shift to the Rajya Sabha. He wants to focus on strengthening the party, especially now that Nitish has shifted to Delhi. The party leaders explained the importance of being part of the cabinet and working for the JD(U) especially now that Nitishji has shifted to the Rajya Sabha,” the second leader added.
According to a third senior party leader, multiple factions currently exist within the JD(U) and one faction had been pushing Nishant to at least be part of the cabinet.
“Some of the leaders are concerned that after getting full control and its own chief minister, the BJP would want to work according to the culture it follows in other states; hence, it becomes important for Nishant to be part of regular government affairs,” he said.
The leader further said Nishant’s move would motivate party workers demoralised after Nitish’s shift to the Centre. “This is a sensible decision and it will motivate and re-energise the cadre,” he added.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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