Nitish Kumar was already elected national party president: JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha

New Delhi, June 22, 2026

Janata Dal (United) National Working President, Sanjay Kumar Jha, said on Monday that Nitish Kumar had already been elected as the party’s National President in an earlier meeting and was subsequently endorsed by the JD(U) National Council, describing it as a completed organisational process later ratified by the party.

Speaking to reporters, Jha said, “Nitish Kumar was already elected National party President in yesterday’s meeting and was endorsed in the National Council.

“Nishant Kumar, who has joined the party and is a minister in the Bihar government, will lead the party going forward and is seen as its future. Now he is working in the government in the future he will work in the organisation…”

The endorsement came during the National Council meeting held on Sunday (June 21, 2026), where party leaders unanimously approved Nitish Kumar’s election as National President. The former Chief Minister thanked members of the council for their support and endorsement.

In his address to party workers and leaders, Nitish Kumar said the JD(U) had earned a strong place in public life through its focus on “development with justice,” adding that this approach had helped the party’s primary membership cross the 10-million mark.

He also reflected on Bihar’s political and developmental journey, stating that before 2005 the state was facing serious backwardness and governance challenges. He said that since assuming office in 2005, his government had worked with honesty and dedication for the development of all sections of society and all regions of Bihar.

Senior party leaders, including Deputy Chief Ministers Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Vijay Kumar Choudhary, along with all JD(U) MPs, attended the National Council Meeting. Vijay Kumar Choudhary said that Nishant Kumar’s active entry into organisational work would bring “new energy and direction” to the party.

Later, JD(U) National Spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad briefed the media on resolutions passed at the meeting. He described Nitish Kumar’s decision to step down from the post of Chief Minister as an example of political probity, trust and cooperative spirit, saying the smooth transfer of responsibilities reflected a unique tradition in Indian politics.

Separately, Sanjay Kumar Jha also reacted to the subsidy payments being transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to around 3.96 lakh farmers affected by storms and hailstorms.

Jha said, “CM Samrat Choudhary announced it already. When Nitish Kumar came to power, a system was put in place under which immediate relief is provided to those affected during any disaster, and whoever suffers is given prompt assistance.”(Agency)