The Janata Dal (United) announced on Friday that it is considering renaming the party “JD(U)-Nitish” to honor its long‑time leader and former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. The suggestion came from JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha, who was heard in a viral video clip recorded a few days earlier. In the clip, Jha said the party’s standing and ideology are based on Kumar’s political philosophy and urged the party to adopt the new name.
Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav and minister Shrawon Kumar, both close aides of Kumar since the JD(U)’s early days, backed the proposal. Yadav, a former state president of the party, called the idea “very good” and called for a formal discussion to decide on the matter.
The JD(U) was formed in 2003 from the merger of the Samata Party, led by Sharad Yadav, and the eponymous outfit. Yadav served as national president until 2016, when Kumar formally took over the top post. Kumar stepped down in 2020, after RCP Singh became president, and later was replaced by Rajiv Ranjan Singh “Lalan,” who also resigned in 2023 when Kumar was re‑elected as president. Kumar has remained the party’s chief leader, though he has become less active politically.
In April, Kumar gave up his chief ministership after two decades and was elected to the Rajya Sabha, while his son Nishant was appointed a minister in the new BJP‑led government. The RJD, led by rival Lalu Prasad, reacted to the renaming suggestion by warning that it could signal a split within the JD(U).
RJD MLA Bhai Virendra criticised the proposal, claiming it reflects internal sabotage to aid the BJP. He also alleged that Jha, a former BJP member, and Lalan are acting as agents of the saffron party, and warned that a split could soon result in a splinter group adopting the name JD(U)-Nitish.
