Bettiah: JD(U) leader Nishant Kumar on Sunday commenced his 'Sadbhav Yatra' from West Champaran, marking his first significant public outreach since entering politics. This initiative signals a transition phase in the party after his father, Nitish Kumar, moved to the Rajya Sabha.
The 45-year-old began the tour from Valmikinagar, a location repeatedly chosen by Nitish for key political campaigns. In Bettiah, Nishant received a grand welcome, with supporters gathering in large numbers and showering flowers. He garlanded statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B R Ambedkar and interacted with party workers and residents along the route.
"I express my gratitude to the people and party workers here for taking out their precious time and coming here," Nishant said.
The yatra witnessed strong participation in Bagaha and nearby areas, where supporters waited for hours. During the tour, Nishant visited Laxmipur village near the India-Nepal border and met members of the Tharu tribal community to discuss development issues.
Local resident Narayan Prasad said, "We have high expectations from his son, who we believe will carry forward his political legacy and continue the pace of development in the district." JD(U) leaders framed the yatra as part of a larger political shift. National spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said the initiative has boosted party morale and will help strengthen the organisation across Bihar. "By launching the 'Sadbhav Yatra' from the historic land of Champaran Satyagraha, Nishant has made it clear that he aims to take the works, achievements and policies of Nitish Kumar over the past two decades to the masses," he said.
Party spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, "Nishant belongs to the land where Emperor Ashoka was born. Like his father, he is starting a Yatra from the land of Sage Valmiki." He added, "Both Valmiki and Ashoka epitomised renunciation. Our supreme leader Nitish showed the same spirit of renunciation when he decided to give up the seat of power. The same dispassion has been demonstrated by Nishant, who chose mass contact over shortcuts."
With BJP leader Samrat heading the current government, JD(U) leaders said Nishant's outreach reflects continuity. "In Nishant, we have a leader who will carry forward the legacy," Neeraj said. The catchphrase "Jai Nishant, tay Nishant" (victory for Nishant, his rise is inevitable) is now splashed on JD(U) posters and social media handles.
