Nishant Kumar, the son of Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar, has formally entered electoral politics by filing his nomination for the Bihar Legislative Council (MLC) elections as an NDA candidate. The educational qualifications revealed in his affidavit show that he did not complete his engineering degree.
Educational Background
According to the affidavit submitted with his nomination papers, Nishant Kumar passed his Intermediate examination from Patna Science College in 1998. He later secured admission to the Bachelor of Engineering programme at Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra, in Ranchi. However, he did not finish the course, completing only five of the eight semesters required before leaving his studies in 2001.
Political Entry and Aspirations
Nishant Kumar filed his nomination papers on Monday, marking his formal entry into electoral politics. Speaking after the filing, he expressed his commitment to justify the trust placed in him. "I will strive to live up to expectations. I will discharge the responsibility entrusted to me with honesty and dedication, and work towards realising the dream of a developed and prosperous Bihar envisioned by my father, Nitish Kumar," he said.
In contrast, his father Nitish Kumar completed his engineering studies. The Bihar Chief Minister holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Bihar College of Engineering, now known as National Institute of Technology (NIT), Patna, which he completed in 1972 before entering public life.
Ministerial Role and Constitutional Requirement
Nishant Kumar joined the ministry of Samrat Choudhary as health minister in May, after Nitish Kumar quit the state cabinet to join the Rajya Sabha. According to Article 164(4) of the Constitution of India, a minister who is not a member of the state legislature for six consecutive months ceases to be a minister. This nomination ensures Nishant Kumar's continued eligibility for his ministerial position.
