'Main hoon na': Nitish Kumar reassures party amid anguish over Rajya Sabha move; gives nod for son Nishant's entry

NEW DELHI: Leaders of the Janata Dal (United) on Friday expressed anguish over chief minister Nitish Kumar’s decision to move to Delhi as a Rajya Sabha MP, but the party chief sought to reassure them, saying "main hoon na" (I am here). He also cleared the way for the political entry of his son Nishant.At a meeting held at Nitish's residence, JD(U) legislators and MPs conveyed their concerns over his decision to stepp down as Bihar CM by moving to Rajya Sabha. State parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said party lawmakers were assured that he had taken the decision on his own and not under any pressure. "He also assured that he would remain available to party workers in Bihar for guidance," Chaudhary was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.Chaudhary added that Nitish Kumar has given the green light for Nishant's entry into politics and that he is likely to join the party in a day or two, though details about his role will be announced later.Senior minister Shravan Kumar said party leaders conveyed their anguish but stood by Nitish's decision, adding that Nishant's entry could energise the organisation.JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said it was wrong to say party workers were angry. "They are in pain and this was conveyed to the CM at today’s meeting. He said - main hoon na," he said.The remarks came amid protests by some party workers outside the JD(U) office since his announcement.Nitish, Bihar's longest-serving CM, triggered political storm on Thursday after filing his nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah.Speculation is also rife that BJP, the largest party in the Bihar assembly, may push for its own CM after Nitish steps down, though JD(U) leaders said the issue would be decided by the party's top leadership.