Nitish Kumar Biography: Personal Life, Education, Family and Political Career

Nitish Kumar is a prominent Indian politician who plays a significant role in the Janata Dal (United) party. He has been the Chief Minister of Bihar for multiple terms, leading from 2005 until now, with a short break in between. Renowned for his emphasis on governance, development, and social justice, Nitish Kumar has been instrumental in overhauling Bihar's infrastructure and enhancing law and order in the state. He has also served in different roles in the central government, such as Minister of Railways. His time in politics has been characterized by a commitment to enacting progressive policies and empowering disadvantaged parts of the population.

• Name: Nitish Kumar

• Mother's Name: Late Parmeshwari Devi

• Father's Name: Late Kaviraj Ram Lakhan Singh

• Education: Graduate (Electrical Engineering, Bihar College of Engineering, Patna)

• Date of Birth: March 1, 1951

• Place of Birth: Bakhtiarpur, Distt. Patna (Bihar)

• Occupation/Profession: Politician

• Political Party: Janata Dal (United)

• Designation: Chief Minister of Bihar

• Spouse: Late Manju Sinha

• Children: Nishant Kumar

• Caste & Religion: Kurmi, Hindu

The Personal Life of Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar entered the world on March 1, 1951, in Bakhtiarpur, a small town in the Patna district of Bihar. Kaviraj Ram Lakhan Singh, his father, was both a freedom fighter and a well-known Ayurvedic healer. His mother, Parmeshwari Devi, stayed at home. Raised in a family with strong political and social consciousness, Nitish Kumar was inspired by his father's principles and dedication to serving the public.

Educational Background of Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar finished his education in Bakhtiarpur and subsequently relocated to Patna for further studies. He completed his studies in Electrical Engineering at Bihar College of Engineering, Patna, which is now called the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Patna. Although he has a technical background, his fascination with politics and public service led him to pursue a career in politics.

The Family of Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar tied the knot with Manju Sinha in 1973. The pair welcomed a son named Nishant Kumar. Manju Sinha, his spouse, died in 2007. Nitish Kumar is famous for leading a modest and understated personal life, frequently keeping his family out of the public eye.

The Political Career of Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar's political career started in the 1970s during the JP Movement, which was a widespread demonstration against the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan. He became a notable youth leader and became a member of the Janata Party. He started to gain traction in his political career during the 1980s when he won a seat in the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1985.

Throughout the years, Nitish Kumar has served in a variety of roles in both state and national politics. He held positions as a Union Minister in different areas such as Agriculture, Railways, and Surface Transport. Nevertheless, his most important role has been as the Chief Minister of Bihar, a position he began holding in 2005. Under his guidance, Bihar experienced numerous development projects, especially in areas such as infrastructure, education, and law enforcement.

Timeline of Nitish Kumar's Political Career

In the year 1974:

Involvement in JP Movement: Nitish Kumar started his political career during the 1970s JP Movement, a large protest organized by Jayaprakash Narayan to oppose the Emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at that time. This action paved the way for his involvement in politics and ultimately propelled him to become a leader among young people.

In the year 1985:

Nitish Kumar's political career in Bihar and at the national level began when he was elected as a Member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1985.

The years from 1989 to 2004

Nitish Kumar held different positions in the Central Government, such as Union Minister for Railways, Agriculture, and Surface Transport, at different times. His positions on a national scale enabled him to acquire substantial administrative knowledge and authority.

In the year 2000:

Short Term as Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar was initially appointed as Chief Minister of Bihar in March 2000 but stepped down within a week because he did not have enough backing from the assembly. This brief period showcased the instability in Bihar's political landscape during that time.

During the years 2005 to 2010:

First Term as Chief Minister (2005-2010): Nitish Kumar initially took on the role of Chief Minister of Bihar in November 2005, following his party's success in the state elections. During his time in office, there were notable advancements in law and order, infrastructure, and governance in Bihar, leading to him being praised and called "Sushasan Babu" (Good Governance Man).

In 2010, Nitish Kumar won re-election as Chief Minister with a clear majority, maintaining his attention on progress and social welfare initiatives, especially in the areas of education and women's empowerment.

The year 2014:

After a lackluster showing by JD(U) in the 2014 General Elections, with the party securing just two seats, Nitish Kumar stepped down as Chief Minister, citing moral accountability. He assigned Jitan Ram Manjhi as his replacement but resumed the position in 2015 following a short period of political turmoil in his party.

In 2015:

Success for Grand Alliance: Nitish Kumar secured a resounding win in the 2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections by leading a coalition of JD(U), RJD, and Congress in defeating the BJP-led alliance. This win confirmed his solid political position in Bihar. Nevertheless, the partnership with RJD turned sour in 2017, resulting in the split and his subsequent rejoining of the NDA.

2017 to 2019:

Change in allegiance: In 2017, Nitish Kumar shocked many by ending his alliance with the RJD and Congress, and reuniting with the BJP to remain Chief Minister of Bihar. This transition sparked controversy and was seen as a major milestone in his political journey.

In the 2019 General Elections, JD(U) led by Nitish Kumar participated in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) alongside the BJP, helping the NDA achieve a significant win in Bihar.

The years from 2020 to 2023:

Nitish Kumar was re-elected as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the seventh time after the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections in 2020. During this time, his term prioritized addressing issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, enhancing health infrastructure, and carrying on with developmental projects in the state.

In 2022, Nitish Kumar ended his alliance with the BJP and partnered up again with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), under Tejashwi Yadav's leadership, to establish the government in Bihar. Nitish strategically positioned himself as a major player in the larger anti-BJP movement at the national level, marking a major political shift.

The year 2024:

Ongoing leadership in Bihar: Nitish Kumar stays an important political figure in Bihar, heading the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] and upholding his role as a key player in Bihar's political scene. His contribution to national politics is still being closely monitored, especially in light of the upcoming 2024 General Elections.

2023-2024 Political Engagements: Nitish Kumar is actively involved in planning for the 2024 General Elections, with a focus on building alliances and solidifying his party's position. He is focused on uniting opposition parties to contest the BJP nationally.

Achievements of Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar is acknowledged for his role in modernizing Bihar's infrastructure and improving its governance. During his time in office, there were major upgrades in road infrastructure, electricity distribution, and educational institutions. His efforts to empower women, such as providing 50% reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions, received high praise. He also introduced various plans to improve the situation of the disadvantaged groups in society.

Net Worth of Nitish Kumar

Based on information from IANS, Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has cash amounting to Rs 22,552 and deposits totaling Rs 48,000 across three bank accounts, as per official records.

Assets and Properties Owned by Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar acquired a 1,000 sq ft apartment in Delhi's Dwarka neighborhood in 2004, paying Rs 13.78 lakh for it, and also possesses multiple jewelry pieces valued at Rs 1.28 lakh. His portable wealth consists of 13 cows and 10 calves, valued at Rs 1.45 lakh, demonstrating the variety of his asset collection beyond conventional investments. This information offers insight into the financial state of the Chief Minister of Bihar, shedding light on his individual assets and investments.

Interesting facts about Nitish Kumar

• Nitish Kumar is commonly known as "Sushasan Babu" (Good Governance Man) due to his emphasis on good governance in Bihar.

• He is known to have a strong work ethic and is recognized for his disciplined way of living.

• Nitish Kumar has a strong interest in reading and is especially fascinated by books about politics and history.

Nitish Kumar's Results from the Election

Nitish Kumar has participated in numerous elections over his career, frequently securing victory by large margins. His repeated electoral victories in Bihar have been greatly influenced by his political tactics and coalitions.

Nitish Kumar served as the Minister of Railways in the Union from 1998 to 1999

While serving as the Railways Union Minister under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's leadership, Nitish Kumar concentrated on enhancing the safety and effectiveness of the Indian Railways. He implemented various changes with the goal of updating the railway system, improving customer experiences, and enhancing safety measures. One of his remarkable achievements was the implementation of the "Kisan Special" trains to assist farmers in moving their crops. Nevertheless, during his time in office, there was also the unfortunate Gaisal train accident in West Bengal in 1999, leading to his resignation due to accepting moral accountability.

Nitish Kumar serving as the Surface Transport Union Minister

Before taking on the role of Railway Minister, Nitish Kumar was in charge of Surface Transport. Throughout his time in office, he concentrated on enhancing national highways and connecting roads throughout the entire country. His efforts in this ministry established the groundwork for upcoming infrastructure projects, leading to his emphasis on enhancing Bihar's road network as Chief Minister.

Nitish Kumar in the role of Union Minister overseeing Agriculture

While serving as the Minister of Agriculture, Nitish Kumar focused on improving agricultural productivity and providing assistance to farmers. He played a key role in starting projects to enhance irrigation systems and guarantee access to farming loans. His time in this ministry gave him a profound insight into rural issues, which he later utilized in Bihar to enact agricultural reforms and rural development initiatives.

Previous profiles' impact

Nitish Kumar gained important administrative skills and a thorough understanding of India's infrastructure and agricultural issues through his time in these central ministries. This knowledge became essential when he became the Chief Minister of Bihar, where he used it to change the state's infrastructure, enhance law enforcement, and prioritize rural and agricultural growth. His time in these ministries also solidified his image as a capable and dependable leader, ready to take moral responsibility for the decisions made during his tenure.

Controversial Political Situation Involving Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar has faced several controversies throughout his political career. Criticism followed his choice to realign with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after initially cutting ties with them. His regular changes in political alliances, commonly referred to as "flip-flops," have sparked discussions about his political steadfastness. In spite of these controversies, he continues to be a notable figure in Indian politics.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Nitish Kumar's background?

Nitish Kumar comes from a politically active family in Bihar, with his father being a freedom fighter.

2. What are Nitish Kumar's key contributions as Chief Minister?

His tenure is marked by improvements in Bihar's infrastructure, education, and law and order, along with initiatives for women's empowerment and social welfare.

3. What controversies have surrounded Nitish Kumar's political career?

His changing political alliances, especially his decisions regarding the BJP, have been sources of controversy.

4. What are Nitish Kumar's major achievements in governance?

Nitish Kumar has been credited with significant progress in rural electrification, road construction, and the implementation of the prohibition policy in Bihar.

5. How has Nitish Kumar's leadership impacted Bihar's economy?

Under his leadership, Bihar has seen a marked improvement in economic growth, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure, and healthcare sectors.

6. What is Nitish Kumar's stance on social issues?

Nitish Kumar has been a strong advocate for social justice, focusing on policies aimed at the upliftment of marginalized communities, women's rights, and anti-corruption measures.