'Why not? Politics is the art of the possible': JD(U) leader backs Nishant Kumar as future Bihar CM

'Why not? Politics is the art of the possible': JD(U) leader backs Nishant Kumar as future Bihar CM

Senior Janata Dal (United) leader Devesh Chandra Thakur has publicly backed Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar as a potential future chief minister, saying he hoped Nitish Kumar’s son would build his political career by emulating his father’s record in the state.

Thakur made the remarks on Sunday, August 23, while speaking to journalists in Sitamarhi, his Lok Sabha constituency, during Nishant Kumar’s visit to the district. The health minister received an enthusiastic welcome from JD(U) workers at several places during the tour.

“Our leader Nitish Kumar has done a lot for Bihar. His two-decade-long tenure as chief minister remains unparalleled. We hope that Nishant would follow in the footsteps of his father and win accolades in public life,” Thakur said.

Asked directly whether he considered Nishant an heir apparent and a possible future Bihar chief minister, Thakur, a former state minister and former chairman of the legislative council, replied: “Why not? Politics is the art of the possible. May he rise to the greatest heights.”

The endorsement comes after Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president, ended his roughly two-decade tenure as Bihar chief minister after deciding to contest the Rajya Sabha polls. Nishant Kumar, 45, had entered electoral politics in March this year, only weeks before his father’s decision to move to the Rajya Sabha.

Nishant was initially reluctant to join the new Bihar government headed by BJP leader Samrat Choudhary and declined an offer to become deputy chief minister. He subsequently joined the Cabinet as health minister following pressure from JD(U) leaders and workers.

Asked about Nishant’s performance in his new ministerial role, Thakur declined to offer a substantive assessment, saying, “The young leader has just started off. It is rather childish to ask such a question at this juncture.”

During his Sitamarhi visit, Nishant, who is known for speaking sparingly, said he was pleased to be in the place associated with the discovery of Goddess Sita. He said he prayed to her to help him meet public expectations and serve all sections of society.

“I am thrilled to visit Sitamarhi, the place where Goddess Sita was believed to have been discovered. I pray to her that I live up to the expectations of the people and work for every section of the society, be it women, OBCs or EBCs, just like my father had done,” Nishant said.

JD(U) workers accompanying the visit said they believed Nitish Kumar’s retirement from active politics had not created a leadership vacuum and expressed confidence that the party remained secure under Nishant’s leadership.

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