Patna: He once described 'spiritualism' as his first love and said he was completely 'divorced from politics'. On Thursday, however, Nishant Kumar, the 50-year-old son of former chief minister Nitish Kumar, took oath as a minister in the newly formed Samrat Choudhary government in Bihar after weeks of persuasion by the JD(U) leadership, which wanted him to join the government to keep the party intact and carry forward his father's political legacy.
The party faced the difficult task of changing his mind after his father stepped down as chief minister to enter the Rajya Sabha. Initially reluctant to join the government before getting elected to either House and understanding public issues, Nishant eventually joined the group of NDA ministers taking oath at the sprawling Gandhi Maidan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nitish Kumar and several Union ministers witnessed the event.
'We will work under the leadership of Samrat with guidance from my father... We will continue working for the state's growth,' Nishant told the media at the JD(U) office on Thursday, where he received a grand welcome after taking oath. He also thanked the people for ensuring the NDA's splendid victory in last year's assembly elections.
Born on July 20, 1975, Nishant is a software engineer, unmarried and the only son of Nitish Kumar and late Manju Sinha. The death of his mother left him deeply shattered and he maintained a low profile for years, rarely interacting with the media and increasingly turning towards spiritualism.
'I have neither interest in politics nor any knowledge about this field. My first love is spiritualism and as of now, I am proceeding on the path of spiritualism. I have decided to lead a spiritual life,' Nishant had told reporters in Patna in February 2017 on the sidelines of a programme organised to pay floral tributes to his mother on her birth anniversary.
Educated at St Karen's School in Patna and Manav Bharti India International School in Mussoorie, Nishant later completed his BTech from BIT Mesra. His entry into politics came unexpectedly after his father decided to quit as Bihar chief minister and move to the Rajya Sabha. With loyal JD(U) workers and senior leaders appearing dejected and disappointment spreading within the party ranks, Nishant formally joined the party in March this year.
Subsequently, the party leadership repeatedly requested him to join the government, but he refused, saying he could take a decision only after interacting with the masses. The leadership was disappointed after his name was missing from the list of ministers when the Samrat Choudhary government was sworn in last month.
Earlier this month, Nishant left for West Champaran to launch the 'Sadbhav Yatra' from Mahatma Gandhi's land. However, barely four days into the yatra, he returned to Patna to take oath as a minister, surprising political observers.
'His joining the government was important for two reasons — first, to keep the JD(U) intact after Nitish shifted to Delhi politics and secondly, to carry forward his father's legacy. The continuous pressure from the party forced him to change his mind,' a senior JD(U) leader said, requesting anonymity.
Sources said several groups had also become active within the JD(U). Further, Nitish had turned 75 and was reportedly facing health complications. 'Had he not joined the government, the party would have disintegrated sooner rather than later. Eventually, Nishant had to leave spiritualism and join mainstream politics for JD(U)'s sake. Now, all JD(U) workers are very happy,' the leader added.
