Is Nitish Kumar’s Son Entering The Rajya Sabha Race? NDA Faces Seat-Sharing Tension In Bihar

The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar have created fresh political tension within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). With five seats set to fall vacant in April, several leaders and parties within the alliance are competing for nominations.

Among the names being discussed is Nishant Kumar, the son of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

As the deadline for filing nominations approaches, the situation has become more complicated, with multiple allies pushing for representation.

Five Seats, Many Claimants

The NDA is aiming to win all five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar. However, deciding who will get the tickets has become a challenging task.

One of the biggest talking points is whether Nishant Kumar will enter active politics through the Rajya Sabha. According to party sources, his name has been discussed seriously at the top level of the Janata Dal (United), or JD(U). Some leaders believe that starting his political journey from the Upper House would give him a national profile from the beginning.

So far, there has been no official confirmation about his nomination. The suspense continues.

Allies Demand Their Share

The situation is further complicated because several NDA allies are also demanding representation.

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), or LJP (RV), currently has no member in the Rajya Sabha. The party is reportedly pushing strongly for one of the five seats. If it succeeds, it could reduce the chances of other aspirants within the alliance.

At the same time, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), led by former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, has also expressed interest in securing a seat.

This has increased pressure on the BJP and JD(U) leadership to balance alliance interests while protecting their own political priorities.

Uncertainty Over Upendra Kushwaha

Another key figure in the race is Upendra Kushwaha, chief of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM). He is currently a Rajya Sabha member whose term is ending soon.
Sources say Kushwaha has been asked to consider merging his party with the BJP if he wants to secure re-nomination. However, there has been no official statement from the BJP confirming such a proposal.

RLM insiders suggest that Kushwaha may not agree to a merger, as it could weaken his independent political identity and reduce his bargaining power in the future.
Kushwaha has reportedly reminded BJP leaders that he was earlier assured of re-election to the Rajya Sabha. During Assembly seat-sharing talks, he had agreed to contest fewer seats based on that understanding.

Ramnath Thakur's Position Clear

While uncertainty surrounds many names, JD(U) sources indicate that Ramnath Thakur, son of former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, is almost certain to be re-elected to the Rajya Sabha.

This leaves limited space for other aspirants, making the internal competition even tougher.

Why Nishant Kumar's Name Matters

Nishant Kumar has largely stayed away from active politics so far. However, his possible entry into the Rajya Sabha would signal a new political chapter for the Nitish Kumar family.

Some leaders within JD(U) believe that giving him a Rajya Sabha seat would help him build a national political image without immediately facing direct electoral pressure. Others feel that such a move could trigger criticism of dynastic politics.

For now, discussions are ongoing, and no final decision has been announced.

Countdown to Nomination Deadline

With March 5 being the last date for filing nominations, the NDA leadership must quickly settle internal differences. The challenge is to maintain alliance unity while satisfying competing demands from different partners.

The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Nishant Kumar steps into national politics and how the NDA resolves its seat-sharing puzzle in Bihar.
The Rajya Sabha race in Bihar has clearly turned into a high-stakes political balancing act.