In a stunning political comeback, Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) is projected to secure approximately 85 seats in the Bihar Assembly elections, nearly doubling its tally from the 2020 polls. The remarkable performance has sparked renewed calls from both JD(U) and BJP leaders for Kumar to continue as Chief Minister, potentially marking his historic tenth term in the state's top position.
Nitish Kumar's Political Journey and Milestones
Nitish Kumar has taken oath as Chief Minister an unprecedented nine times, with the upcoming swearing-in ceremony potentially marking his tenth term. This would further cement his position as Bihar's longest-serving chief minister in history. Kumar first assumed the CM office in 2000, though his initial term lasted only seven days.
His significant tenure began in 2005 when he returned to power and served continuously until 2014. Following a break of 278 days, Kumar again reclaimed the chief minister's chair in 2015. With this latest victory, Kumar completes over ten years of continuous leadership in steering Bihar's development trajectory.
Educational Background and Family Life
The Bihar stalwart holds an impressive BSc (Engineering) degree from Bihar College of Engineering in Patna, showcasing his technical educational background. On the personal front, Kumar married Manju Kumari Sinha on February 22, 1973, and the couple has one son, Nishant Kumar.
Political circles have been abuzz with speculation that Nishant Kumar might enter active politics, with rumors suggesting he could contest from the Harnaut constituency in the 2025 elections. Interestingly, Nitish Kumar himself had won from Harnaut assembly constituency decades ago, though he hasn't contested Bihar Assembly elections since then.
Extensive Ministerial Experience and Health Considerations
Beyond his chief ministerial roles, Kumar has held several significant positions at the central government level:
- Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Co-operation (April 1990 - November 1990)
- Union Cabinet Minister for Railways (March 1998 - August 1999)
- Union Cabinet Minister for Surface Transport with additional charge (April 1998 - August 1999)
- Union Cabinet Minister for Agriculture (November 1999 - March 2000)
- Union Cabinet Minister for Agriculture with additional charge of Railways (March 2001 - July 2001)
Recent discussions about Kumar's health have surfaced in political discourse. Political strategist Prashant Kishor commented that "Nitish Kumar is physically tired and mentally unfit," while RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav similarly described him as a "tired" Chief Minister. However, Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari offered a more measured perspective, acknowledging that while Kumar appears "a bit unwell," there should be no politics over health matters, recognizing his significant contributions to Bihar's development.
As Bihar prepares for another term under Nitish Kumar's leadership, the political veteran continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience in India's dynamic political landscape, proving that "Bihar Ka Matlab Nitish Kumar" remains more relevant than ever in the state's political discourse.
