Janata Dal (United) National Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha confirmed on Monday, 22 June 2026, that Nitish Kumar had already been elected as the party's National President at an earlier meeting and was subsequently ratified by the JD(U) National Council — completing what Jha described as a formal organisational process.

How the Election Unfolded

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Jha said, 'Nitish Kumar was already elected National party President in yesterday's meeting and was endorsed in the National Council.' The endorsement took place during the National Council meeting held on Sunday, 21 June 2026, where party leaders unanimously approved the election. Nitish Kumar thanked council members for their support.

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.

Nishant Kumar Positioned as Party's Future

Jha also spotlighted Nishant Kumar — a minister in the Bihar government who has recently joined the party — as a key figure going forward. '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,' Jha said.

Senior party leader and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary echoed this sentiment, saying that Nishant Kumar's active entry into organisational work would bring 'new energy and direction' to the party. Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav and all JD(U) MPs attended the National Council meeting.

Nitish Kumar on Bihar's Developmental Journey

Nitish Kumar reflected on Bihar's political and developmental trajectory, stating that before 2005 the state was grappling with serious backwardness and governance failures. 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.

Smooth Leadership Transition Hailed

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 — calling the smooth transfer of responsibilities a 'unique tradition in Indian politics.'

Relief for Storm-Hit Farmers

Separately, Jha addressed the transfer of subsidy payments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to approximately 3.96 lakh farmers affected by storms and hailstorms. He credited the relief mechanism to a system put in place when Nitish Kumar came to power, under which immediate assistance is provided to those affected by any disaster. He noted that Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary had already announced the relief disbursal.

With Nitish Kumar now formally heading the party organisation and Nishant Kumar being groomed for a larger role, the JD(U) appears to be managing a generational transition while keeping its Bihar base consolidated ahead of future electoral cycles.