After BJP’s Samrat Chaudhary was chosen by NDA MLAs as their leader in Bihar on Tuesday, he was set to take oath as the next chief minister succeeding JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, whose son Nishant may not get a senior post at least for the time being.
As Chaudhary was sworn in on Wednesday in Patna, some JD(U) leaders expressed cautious views on the possibility of Nishant taking over the ministerial post or even the deputy chief minister’s post – something Chaudhary held under Nitish. “Party workers are expressing their feelings, leaders are expressing their feelings,” said JD(U) leader Shrawan Kumar, who was president until Nitish dissolved his government on April 14.
However, JD(U) sources hinted that Nishant was not keen on the deputy chief minister’s post and wanted to continue his focus on strengthening the party instead, news agency PTI reported on Tuesday evening.
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“Experienced” leaders were selected.
This comes even as a senior JD(U) leader told HT that two “experienced” names have been selected for the post of deputy chief minister in Bihar. This also means that Nishant, a political novice, has little chance of at least becoming deputy chief minister.
The JD(U)’s Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, both of whom held ministerial posts in the Nitish Kumar government, could become deputy chief ministers, the party leader said. This would upend the power-sharing formula worked out by the BJP and the JD(S) party. “Only three people will be sworn in on Wednesday,” the leader said, adding that the expansion of the Cabinet will take place after the end of the current Assembly elections in four states and one union territory.
Meanwhile, JD(U) leaders have indicated that despite Nishant’s “ability” to step into his father’s shoes, Nitish is unlikely to push for his son, according to a PTI report.
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The role of Nishant JD(U).
JD(U) leaders have clearly highlighted Nishant’s increasing role in organizational matters within the party.
“Nishant Kumar is active in politics. He has joined the party and is working on strengthening the party organisation. He meets everyone, and his job is to understand the entire party very intelligently and bring suggestions together,” JD(U) national working president and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha told news agency ANI.
Jha also said that his role in the future, whether within the party or outside, will be decided by party members.
Some opposition leaders also expressed concerns about Nishant being considered for an important role in the Cabinet.
Former deputy minister Tej Pratap Yadav said Nishant was too “inexperienced” to hold a ministerial post.
“He may be older than me, but the fact remains that experience is important in politics. We will see when he gains enough experience,” the agency quoted Tej Pratap as saying.
