With 'Sadbhav Yatra', Nishant Kumar leans on Nitish Kumar's legacy while stepping up independent political outreach

BETTIAH: JD(U) leader Nishant Kumar, on the second day of his ‘Sadbhav Yatra’, visited the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) at Valmikinagar in East Champaran district on Monday. He enjoyed a morning jungle safari before beginning his political outreach and organisational strengthening programme.Following the safari, Nishant paid tributes to Maharishi Valmiki by garlanding his statue and offering prayers at the Nar Devi Mata Sthan. His visit to West Champaran — historically significant as the land of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha — saw him engaging closely with party workers and the local tribal population.On the first day of the yatra on Sunday night, Nishant was accorded a traditional welcome by tribal women, who performed the Jhumta-Jhumar dance at Laxmipur Rampurwa village. Addressing the community on Monday, he highlighted the welfare work carried out by his father, former CM Nitish Kumar, for the Tharu tribe.“My father has done a lot for the welfare of tribals. He established the Tharuhat Development Agency and, during the ‘Pragati Yatra’, allocated Rs 170 crore while approving 41 new schemes for the Tharu community,” Nishant said.He further added that the ‘Swabhiman Mahila Battalion’ has provided direct employment to hundreds of tribal women. The construction of residential schools and hostels has also strengthened education and health services in the region.Later in the day, during a dialogue programme in Bettiah, Nishant urged JD(U) workers to take the state government’s achievements to the grassroots. He emphasised that the bond between his father and the region remains a cornerstone of their political journey.“West Champaran was the land of Gandhiji’s Satyagraha, and my father also began many of his journeys from here. It feels great to be here,” he said. “I hope that the love and affection my father has received for 20 years will continue to extend to me and the party.”Concluding his address, Nishant appealed to party workers to stand by the public in times of both joy and sorrow.“The way my father has brought development, my endeavour will be to ensure it continues for women and the entire Tharu community. Together, we will strengthen the party and the alliance and build a prosperous Bihar,” he added.