PATNa, March 6 -- For over two decades, Nitish Kumar meant JD(U). Such was his stature. But as his long and illustrious innings as Bihar CM comes to an end, there is a justifiable concerns about the fate of JD(U), as is the case with any personality-centric regional party, which invariably lacks a succession plan unless there is someone from the ruling family to take the baton. In JD(U)'s case, that has not happened, though there is a belated effort to pitch in Nitish's won Nishant Kumar to take his legacy forward. Nishant is a green horn in politics, as Nitish Kumar never allowed his family members to dabble in politics in keeping with his stand against "dynastic politics". In fact, he remained vocal against dynastic politics till recently and even had a verbal duel over it with RJD in the Bihar Legislature during the just-concluded Assembly session, when he referred to former CM Rabri Devi's elevation after Lalu Prasad had to relinquish the chair. But now, as he goes to Rajya Sabha, his 'reluctant' son is ready to take a plunge into politics. He is likely to be given important position in the government and sent to Legislative Council on the seat vacated by Nitish, but the bigger challenge will be to emerge as acceptable party face beyond the Lav-Kush community like his father. "While working closely with the BJP, the JD(U) will also need to keep its identity and existence as an equal partner intact, as Nitish Kumar all along maintained. The role of senior party leadership and invaluable guidance of Nitish Kumar will be crucial for smooth transition, but it will not be easy in the changed situation," said a senior party leader, who did not want to be quoted. JD(U) spokesman Neeraj Kumar said the entire party had been for entry of Nishant Kumar in politics, but it was a decision than could be taken only by him or Nitish Kumar. "He is educated, his simplicity is striking and his father has an unblemished record. Everything makes him the right choice for JD(U) to take the legacy forward," he added. How Nishant steers the party his father built around himself so assiduously will be a thing to watch, as he will require the support and political wherewithal to do that. With 85 seats, JD-U is a formidable force. However, it has never been out of power in the last two decades, which will be another test for the party how it behaves in a different situation and without Nitish at the helm. Nitish Kumar going to Rajya Sabha has certainly raised questions for JD(U), though political experts and party insiders say that it was in the offing due to his own desire, indifferent health and changing contours of Bihar politics after a landslide victory in 2025, in which BJP emerged as the largest party, but persisted with Nitish as CM like in 2020. "The good thing is that Nitish Kumar will be around to guide his son and party, and his vast experience would be invaluable. JD-U is an established party and has got the strength in the Assembly. Nitish Kumar cannot continue forever and what has happened was bound to happen at some stage," they added. It was the first time during the Rajya Sabha election in 2022 when he had said he would wish to be in the Rajya Sabha once, the only House he has not represented in his over four decades-long political career. The statement came after JD(U) got reduced to its lowest ever tally of 43 in the 2020 Assembly election, but he was still made the CM by the BJP, which he often said he did not want. But after 2020, the numbers in the Assembly were so stacked that JD(U) was pushed to the third position but still held the aces. In 2022, Nitish used the aces to switch over and form the government with RJD with an eye on national politics, but only to get back to NDA ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election after the Opposition alliance failed to project him as convener. "Nitish has had an uncanny knack of playing his cards deftly and as long as he held sway, neither the BJP nor RJD could emerge. He made coalition politics a reality in Bihar, as he knew his party's existence was due to him. That kind of acumen is not developed overnight and for his son to step into his shoes, it will require a lot of effort and support," said former director of AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies DM Diwakar. The buzz around Nitish Kumar never stops, for he knows what ticks in politics and how to keep everyone guessing. He has been adept at causing upheavals in the Bihar politics at regular intervals since 2015, but always to his advantage. "How JD(U) copes with the new situation is something everyone will keenly watch. Son-rise in Bihar politics is nothing new. Tejashwi, Chirag and now Nishant Kumar are all young and have the onerous task of taking their family legacy forward. Tejashwi and Chirag have gained quite a lot of experience, while for Nishant it is a late start. But in political families, heirs always have natural acceptability. Bihar politics is heading for interesting times,"said former head at Patna University Prof NK Choudhary. BRA Bihar University's Prof Vijay Kumar said the political heft of JD(U) had always been linked to Nitish Kumar, the succession plan in the party had been a matter of debate since 2020, when the Bihar CM had announced during an election meeting that "it will be his last election". "But he fought 2025 election also and JD(U) rebounded with grand success after 2020 debacle. Nitish Kumar again retained the CM's post, though he had to part with the home portfolio of the first time since 2005, an indication that his honourable exit plan was ready and he was also game with it due to his age and health issues. Yet, he remained reluctant to introduce his son into politics despite growing demand from within the party," he said....