NEW DELHI: Nishant Kumar, the son of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, is set to enter politics, a development which marks a reversal of his father’s abiding aversion to dynastic politics but owes as much to growing clamour within JDU as the party sees in him a legatee who can help it link with its core supporters in case of leadership transitition.Multiple party functionaries said Nitish, who recently turned 75 and finds his health under scrutiny, has given his nod to his son joining politics. Though the speculation about him getting one of the two Rajya Sabha seats that JDU is set to get is just that, speculation, indications suggest that the party leadership may have overcome the hestitancy which saw it defy the clamour from ranks for letting Nitish’s son in the arena.Nishant Kumar’s late turn to politics, at 50 years of age, is a growing acknowledgement among key JDU functionaries that he can help the party navigate the competitive and unpredictable terrain it faces in the crowded political scene in Bihar as an important face with whom its traditional voters – Kurmis and sections of backwards and Dalits – can connect due to their bond with his father.Bihar minister Shrawon Kumar, who is from JDU, said Nishant is set to enter politics and whether he will go to Rajya Sabha or not will be clear in a day or two. A senior JDU functionary emphasised Nitish’s staunch opposition to dynastic politics but noted the uncertain future that several regional parties face where there is no clear line of succession. On the other hand, he added, RJD has retained its base despite repeated poll drubbings as its traditional voters have accepted Lalu Prasad’s son Tejashwi Yadav as his political heir.While the future path for Nishant is far from predictable, his presence will help galvanise JDU’s base, which is in confusion over its future beyond Nitish.
