‘Main hoon na’: Nitish Kumar reassures party amid anguish over Lok Sabha move; nods to son Nishant’s entry

New Delhi: BJP leaders on Friday expressed anguish over chief minister Nitish Kumardecided to move to Delhi to serve as members of the Lok Sabha, but the party president tried to appease them, saying “main hoon na” (I am here). He also cleared the way for his son Nishant’s political entry.At a meeting held at Nitish’s official residence, JD(U) legislators and Congress MPs expressed their concerns over Nitish’s decision to resign as Bihar chief minister and move to the Union House. State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said party MPs were reassured that he had taken the decision on his own and was not under any pressure.

“He also assured that he will continue to provide guidance to party workers in Bihar,” news agency PTI quoted Chaudhry as saying.Chaudhry added that Nitish Kumar has given the green light to Nishant to enter politics and he may join the party within a day or two, although details about his role will be announced later.Senior minister Shravan Kumar said the party leaders expressed their anguish but supported Nitish’s decision, adding that Nishant’s inclusion can inject energy into the organization.JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said it was wrong to suggest that party workers were angry. “They are in pain and this was conveyed to the chief minister in today’s meeting. He said – Major Huna,” he said.Since his announcement, some party workers have protested outside the JD(U) office.Bihar’s longest-serving chief minister Nitish on Thursday filed his nomination for a Lok Sabha seat in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, triggering a political storm.Speculations are rife that the Bharatiya Janata Party, the largest party in the Bihar Assembly, may push for its own chief minister after Nitish steps down, although JD(U) leaders said the issue will be decided by the party’s top leadership.