Nitish Kumar Set for Unopposed Election as JD(U) Chief for Fifth Time
Patna: In a significant political development, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is poised to be unanimously elected as the national president of the Janata Dal (United) for a record fifth term. This move comes shortly after his election to the Rajya Sabha, solidifying his leadership within the party.
Nomination Process Underway
Insiders from the JD(U) have revealed that Nitish Kumar will formally file his nomination papers for the party's national presidency on Thursday. According to a senior JD(U) leader, Nitish is expected to be the sole candidate for the position, leading to his declaration as elected unopposed on March 24, which marks the last date for withdrawal of candidature.
The nomination papers will be submitted at the JD(U) headquarters in New Delhi before the party's national election officer, Aneel Hegde. Notably, Nitish Kumar will not personally file the papers; instead, senior JD(U) leaders from Bihar will travel to New Delhi on Thursday to handle the submission on his behalf.
Election Schedule Details
The JD(U) has outlined a clear election schedule for the national president role:
- Nomination papers can be filed until March 22.
- Scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for March 23.
- The last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 24.
- If multiple candidates remain after withdrawals, polling will occur on March 27.
JD(U) national general secretary Afaque Ahmad Khan confirmed these details while releasing the election schedule recently.
Historical Context of Nitish Kumar's Leadership
Nitish Kumar's potential fifth term as national president builds on a long history of leadership within the JD(U):
- He was first nominated as national president on April 10, 2016, following Sharad Yadav's decision to decline a fourth term. This nomination was formally ratified at the party's national council meeting in Rajgir on October 16, 2016.
- Nitish was re-elected unopposed for a fresh three-year term on October 6, 2019.
- In December 2020, he stepped down from the post to focus on his role as Chief Minister after the state assembly elections, passing the mantle to then-national general secretary R C P Singh.
- On December 29, 2023, Nitish returned to the party presidency, replacing Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh. His nomination was unanimously approved at a national executive meeting in Delhi and ratified at the party's national council meeting the same day, marking his fourth term.
This upcoming election underscores Nitish Kumar's enduring influence in Bihar politics and the JD(U), as he continues to navigate both state and national roles with strategic acumen.
