Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's son Nishant reacts to question on political entry: 'Arey ...'

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's son Nishant on Tuesday remained tight-lipped about his political ambitions ahead of the state assembly elections.

When asked whether he will take the political plunge amid JD(U) putting up posters calling for his debut, he responded with a curt "just leave it (arrey chhodiye)".

On Monday, Bihar minister Shravan Kumar had said that the decision on Nishant Kumar's entry into politics rests solely with his father Nitish. "Whether Nishant ji joins politics or not depends on Nitish Kumar. This decision is not possible without his approval. However, there is no doubt that Nishant Kumar has the knowledge and the grasp of Bihar's political landscape," he said.

Speculation over Nishant Kumar’s political debut has intensified in recent days after JD(U) posters surfaced in the state with his picture along with the slogan: "Bihar Kare Pukar, Aaye Nishant Kumar." Assembly elections are due in the state by October-November this year.

The reclusive 47-year-old has maintained a low profile over the years and has not held any posts in JD(U).

In his recent conversation with reporters, Nishant expressed confidence that JD(U) will improve its performance in the assembly polls due later this year as compared with 2020 when it lost the status of senior NDA partner in the state.

He was mobbed by journalists at the memorial of his mother Manju Sinha, where he had come with his father to pay tributes on her birth anniversary.

The normally reticent Nishant broke into a wide grin when asked about the use of the word "laadla" (dear) for his father by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the day before.

"Of course, he would say so. Both of them are alliance partners," said the CM's son, unfazed by the contention of many opposition leaders here that the PM had belittled the JD(U) supremo by using a colloquial expression normally reserved for children.

Earlier too, Nishant had dodged a question about entering politics while interacting with reporters.

In June last year, JD(U) state general secretary Pram Hans Kumar said it was the demand of the time and the situation that Nishant Kumar came forward for the welfare of the party and the state.

(With inputs from PTI)