Tejashwi Yadav, a leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (JD(U)) of practicing dynastic politics in Bihar.
The accusation targets the political positioning of Nishant Kumar, the son of Nitish Kumar. This development is significant because Nitish Kumar has long built his public image on a staunch opposition to family-based political succession, often criticizing other parties for the same practice.
Speaking in September 2024, Yadav said that promoting Nishant Kumar for senior roles contradicts the chief minister's long-standing anti-dynasty stance. He argued that this shift provides the JD(U) with a hereditary advantage as the state prepares for the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for October and November 2025 [3].
"We had been saying from the beginning that Nitish Kumar will not continue as the CM of Bihar after elections," Yadav said.
The political landscape in Bihar has seen several shifts recently. Nitish Kumar began his record 10th term as chief minister [1] and moved to the Rajya Sabha four days after turning 75 [2].
Reports on the extent of Nishant Kumar's rise remain contradictory. Some analysis suggests the entry of the chief minister's son challenges his previous political identity. While some reports indicate that Nitish Kumar plans to groom Nishant before assigning him major responsibilities, other reports state that the chief minister decided not to allow his son to hold a ministerial post or serve as Deputy Chief Minister.
Despite these contradictions, Yadav said that the movement to integrate Nishant Kumar into the party structure is a betrayal of the public. He suggested that the JD(U) is now adopting the same family-centric strategies it once condemned to maintain power in the region.
“"We had been saying from the beginning that Nitish Kumar will not continue as the CM of Bihar after elections."”
The shift in Nitish Kumar's approach toward his son's political involvement creates a potential vulnerability in his political branding. By framing the JD(U) as a dynastic party, the RJD seeks to neutralize the chief minister's primary moral argument against political families ahead of the 2025 elections, potentially altering the electoral narrative in Bihar.
