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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

Nishant Kumar: Bihar's reluctant heir steps into the political arena

New Delhi: In Bihar's swirling political cauldron, Nishant Kumar has emerged as the hottest topic. Once a man who shunned not just politics but public life altogether, he has now plunged headlong into the fray. The key to this transformation likely lies in his family dynamics. His mother, Manju Kumari Sinha, played a pivotal role in shaping his path, while his father, Nitish Kumar, devoted his entire life to serving the public after completing his studies. Having fulfilled his mother's wishes...

Nishant Kumar: Bihar's reluctant heir steps into the political arena

New Delhi: In Bihar's swirling political cauldron, Nishant Kumar has emerged as the hottest topic. Once a man who shunned not just politics but public life altogether, he has now plunged headlong into the fray. The key to this transformation likely lies in his family dynamics. His mother, Manju Kumari Sinha, played a pivotal role in shaping his path, while his father, Nitish Kumar, devoted his entire life to serving the public after completing his studies. Having fulfilled his mother's wishes by prioritising education, Nishant is now stepping up to shoulder his father's social and political responsibilities at a crucial juncture. Nitish Kumar has set an extraordinarily high bar for development in Bihar's politics, leaving Nishant with formidable challenges ahead. The question is whether he will convert these hurdles into opportunities and climb the ladder of success, or stumble while trying. To grasp Nishant's political worldview and motivations, one must delve into his family background. Born on July 20, 1975, in Patna, Nishant entered a world where his father had already joined active politics during the 1974 movement against Indira Gandhi's Emergency under the leadership of Lok Nayak Jay Prakash Narayan. Nitish dedicated his life thereafter to Bihar's development dreams and upliftment of the deprived. In contrast, his mother, Manju Sinha, was a school teacher who passed away in 2007 and never favoured misusing power for personal gain. Family associates recall that Manju Sinha explicitly discouraged Nishant from stepping into politics. Whenever he showed interest, she urged him that "First study, become a good citizen and self-reliant, then step into social and national service." Early Life Under her guidance, Nishant began his schooling at Patna's St. Karen's School, followed by studies at Mussoorie's Manav Bharti India International School. He also attended Patna's Kendriya Vidyalaya briefly. After school, he earned a software engineering degree from Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Mesra in Ranchi, Jharkhand, mirroring his father's engineering background. Notably, for his first two years at BIT, classmates had no idea he was Nitish Kumar's son. In an interview, his classmate and Islampur (Bihar) MLA Ruhail Ranjan (son of Rajiv Ranjan) revealed that "No one knew Nishant was Nitish's son for those initial two years." Now nearing 50 and unmarried, Nishant leads a spiritual life marked by daily yoga, prayers, and simplicity. Media reports note his reading habits include books on socialism, contemporary Bihar, RSS publications, and the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. He prefers family time or solitude. He shares a deep bond with his father, often hugging him affectionately like a child on special occasions. Curiously, while working in the private sector, Nishant has amassed more wealth than his father. His total movable and immovable assets stand at 3.61 crore, surpassing Nitish's 1.66 crore. Beyond inheritance from his late mother, this includes ancestral property in Kalyan Bigaha, Nalanda (a family home and farmland), plus real estate in Patna and Bakhtiyarpur. ‘Parivarwaad’ After years of steering clear of politics, Nishant's entry into the Janata Dal (United) drew accusations of dynastic politics from the opposition, like Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Yet, there's no evidence of him chasing power's perks. If that were his aim, he could have joined active politics when Nitish was a union minister or during his 21-year stint as chief minister (in multiple terms). Instead, as Nitish honourably announces his exit from the chief minister's post, Nishant steps in to carry forward his father's public legacy and vision. He has vowed to propel Bihar into the ranks of developed states. Challenges Ahead With Nishant now in JD(U) and eyeing the deputy chief minister's role, power brings fresh tests. First, Nitish built his base by consolidating Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs). Nishant must rally them while preventing the erosion of JD(U)'s core voters. Second, Nitish championed women's empowerment, from bicycles for girls to educate them, self-help groups for 'Jeevika Didis', and alcohol prohibition to restore dignity. How will Nishant advance this agenda and turn challenges into gains? Ahead looms the 2030 Bihar Assembly elections, where he must forge an identity, win over party workers, and earn leaders' trust. Nitish enjoys an image as a clean, trustworthy politician. Can Nishant match this stature and live up to public faith? Comparisons arise with Uddhav Thackeray, who inherited Bal Saheb Thackeray's mantle but veered from ideology, allying with Congress and NCP for power. Will Nishant compromise similarly, or draw an even bolder developmental line for Bihar? Many queries linger, unanswered in the hush of now — only time, the silent sage, shall unveil their truth somehow.

BJP Boost

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

As the dust settles over the recent Assembly elections, the BJP, defying anti-incumbency prediction of political Cassandras and exit polls, is set for a historic third term in Haryana. This will buoy the party after its underwhelming performance in the Lok Sabha polls. The Haryana outcome not only reinforces the BJP’s foothold in national politics but also presents a counter-narrative to the INDIA bloc’s post-election fervour.

Despite the bogey stoked by lingering farmer protests and discontent surrounding the controversial Agniveer scheme, the BJP strategically diversified its approach, relying not solely on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s star power—evidenced by his reduced number of rallies—but also on a ground-level consolidation of anti-Jat votes. The Congress’s over-reliance on the Jat community backfired, rallying other groups against it. Interestingly, the Dalit vote, which the Congress anticipated would tilt in its favour, has not completely abandoned the BJP.


At the forefront of the BJP's campaign was Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, whose relatively short tenure allowed him to distance himself from the decade-long rule of the previous administration. By introducing measures to benefit the backward classes, including a significant income limit increase for OBC employment from Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh, the BJP effectively shifted the narrative in its favour. Their mantra of ‘bina parchi, bina kharchi Naukri (promising jobs without bribes) resonated with voters.


The BJP’s rejuvenated team, led by key figures such as Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and state leaders, has seemingly addressed concerns that arose following its poor showing in the Lok Sabha elections. The incorporation of new candidates in place of established leaders provided a fresh face that contrasted sharply with the Congress’s decision to recycle incumbents.


In contrast, in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference, in alliance with the Congress, having crossed the majority threshold, reclaimed its historic dominance and is set to form the government. Here, the BJP’s performance in the first Assembly election held after the abrogation of Article 370, fell short despite its strenuous attempt to position itself as a proponent of development.


The electorate’s apparent rejection of hardline factions like the PDP reflects a nuanced response and win for democracy. Notably, the results have shown a significant rejection of separatist candidates, including those from Engineer Rashid-led Awami Ittehad Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, who failed to make a meaningful impact in the polls.


The BJP’s emphatic victory in Haryana redeems its Lok Sabha misstep but also signals a broader political resurgence, giving the party renewed vigour to march into future contests like the crucial Maharashtra Assembly election.

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