Archive · 17 Sep 2026
JD(U) Revives Nitish Legacy Amid Farakka, UCC and Succession Debate
The Janata Dal (United), or JD(U), is trying to highlight the work of Nitish Kumar after he stopped being Bihar’s chief minister.
It is holding meetings called “Nitish Samvad” in districts near the Ganga.
These meetings will support the party’s opposition to renewing the Farakka water-sharing agreement with Bangladesh.
Nitish Kumar will not attend in person, but his recorded messages will be played.
The party is also celebrating 20 years of Jeevika, a programme that helps women become financially independent.
Jeevika has about 1.9 crore members in Bihar.
Some party leaders want Nitish’s son, Nishant Kumar, to become more active in the organisation.
The JD(U) is also being careful about the Uniform Civil Code and says it will read the proposal first.
This caution could affect its relationship with the BJP, its alliance partner.
JD(U) launched “Nitish Samvad” across 12 Bihar districts along the Ganga to oppose renewing the Farakka treaty.
The India-Bangladesh water-sharing agreement is due to expire in December, while Nitish Kumar will not attend the campaign events.
The party will visit all 38 Bihar districts to mark 20 years of Jeevika, a women’s self-employment programme with about 1.9 crore members.
Some JD(U) leaders want Nishant Kumar to take a larger organisational role and participate in the Jeevika campaign beginning October 2.
JD(U) is taking a cautious position on the Uniform Civil Code, saying it will study the draft before deciding.
- Who
- The Janata Dal (United), Nitish Kumar, Nishant Kumar, and leaders of the BJP-led alliance in Bihar.
- What
- The JD(U) is promoting Nitish Kumar’s legacy through campaigns on the Farakka treaty, Jeevika, and the Uniform Civil Code.
- When
- The Farakka treaty is due to expire in December; the Jeevika campaign is scheduled to begin on October 2, and the programme is marking 20 years.
- Where
- Across Bihar, including 12 districts along the Ganga and all 38 districts for the Jeevika campaign.
- Why
- The JD(U) says it wants to reinforce Nitish Kumar’s record and support its opposition to renewing the Farakka treaty, while retaining its women voters and defining its position on the UCC.
JD(U) and Nitish Legacy
BJP-Aligned Perspective
Farakka treaty
JD(U) and Nitish Legacy
The JD(U) is campaigning against renewal of the treaty and says Nitish Kumar has consistently opposed the Farakka barrage.
BJP-Aligned Perspective
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha have also expressed concerns about flooding and heavy siltation, but the article does not state a separate BJP position on treaty renewal.
Uniform Civil Code
JD(U) and Nitish Legacy
The JD(U) says it will study the draft first; Nitish Kumar has previously called for broad national consensus, and the party had argued that some religious practices should remain outside the UCC.
BJP-Aligned Perspective
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that the UCC will be implemented in all 21 BJP-led NDA states before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Political legacy and women voters
JD(U) and Nitish Legacy
The JD(U) is emphasizing Jeevika and Nitish Kumar’s contribution to women’s empowerment, while some party leaders want Nishant Kumar to take a larger organisational role.
BJP-Aligned Perspective
A BJP leader said both allies have cultivated women voters and described the competition over this constituency as a healthy fight, while suggesting the JD(U) may be eager to retain its support base.
- Campaign
- “Nitish Samvad” will be held in 12 Bihar districts along the Ganga.
- Farakka treaty
- The India-Bangladesh water-sharing agreement is due to expire in December.
- Nitish Kumar’s role
- Nitish Kumar is now a Rajya Sabha member and will not attend the campaign events in person.
- Jeevika membership
- The Bihar programme has around 1.9 crore members.
- Jeevika anniversary
- The JD(U) plans to mark 20 years since Jeevika was launched in Bihar.
- UCC position
- The JD(U) says it will read the Uniform Civil Code draft before deciding its position.
- Political transition
- Nitish Kumar stepped down as Bihar chief minister, and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary became chief minister.