Nitish files nomination papers for 4th term as JD(U) president

Patna: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Thursday filed his nomination papers for election as the national president for the fourth term (2025-28). Practically, his election to the post is set to be unopposed.The CM, however, did not travel to Delhi to personally file his nomination papers. A group of senior party leaders submitted his nomination papers to the party’s returning officer Anil Kumar Hegde, a former Rajya Sabha member. As announced by the party’s central office, the party’s working president and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Kumar Jha, state minister Shrawan Kumar and MLC Sanjay Kumar Gandhi, along with other party leaders, handed over the nomination papers to Hegde.As per the election schedule, the last date for filing nomination papers is March 22, followed by scrutiny on March 23, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 24. It is expected that no other candidate will file nomination papers over the next three days. The formal election of Nitish for the fourth term as national president, if another candidate also files nomination papers, would be held on March 27. However, that possibility is considered unlikely.Nitish, who was elected Rajya Sabha member on March 16 this year, has earlier served as the party’s national president on three occasions — first in April 2016 when he took over from senior party leader Sharad Yadav, then re-elected in October 2019. He later handed over the post to former Rajya Sabha member R C P Singh in November the following year and again took charge from Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in December 2023.Being a Rajya Sabha member and free from the pressures of running the govt since he would be relinquishing the post of CM, he would guide the central and state JD(U) units. Meanwhile, his son Nishant Kumar has already become a party member and is also hoping for a significant role. Nishant has also announced plans to go on a statewide tour.