No Political Party Can Do Politics in Bihar Without JD(U), Says Sanjay Jha

Janata Dal (United) National Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, said that no political party can do politics in Bihar without the JD(U), delivering a message to the party's partners in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Mr. Jha made the remarks while addressing the ‘Nitish Dialogue on Farakka Water Treaty’ organised by the JD(U) in Hajipur, Vaishali. The programme was attended by a large number of party workers and leaders, including Nishant Kumar, son of former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and JD(U) State Unit President Umesh Singh Kushwaha.

Sanjay Jha said the JD(U) occupies an important position in Bihar politics and asserted that political parties seeking to operate in the State would have to centre their activities around the JD(U).

Jha Highlights JD(U)'s Electoral Performance

Jha pointed to the party's performance in recent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. According to him, the JD(U) contested 16 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar and won 12, while it contested 101 seats in the 2025 Bihar Assembly election and won 85.

He also said the 2025 Assembly election was contested under the leadership and face of Nitish Kumar. Jha stated that voters supported the party under Nitish Kumar's leadership and argued that the former Chief Minister's political contribution would continue to remain significant in Bihar.

Jha further recalled discussions during the 2025 election about the future of the JD(U) after Nitish Kumar, saying that questions had been raised about whether the party would survive beyond its longtime leader.

Jha Speaks About Nishant Kumar

During the programme, Jha also spoke about Nishant Kumar and his growing public role. He said Nishant had largely stayed away from public platforms while Nitish Kumar was active in politics but suggested that his future role in the party would be important.

Jha described Nishant as a future leader of the party and highlighted his interaction with people and public image.

Farakka Water Treaty Also Discussed

The JD(U) event also focused on the Farakka Barrage and Farakka Water Treaty and their alleged impact on Bihar's water situation.

Jha said Bihar had suffered from floods and droughts over the past three decades and argued that the State's water requirements should receive greater consideration in any future arrangement.

He said the 30-year term of the Farakka Water Treaty is scheduled to expire in December 2026 and stated that the JD(U) does not want the treaty to be renewed in its existing form. He called for any new arrangement to take Bihar's water requirements into account for the next 25 years.

The remarks come as the JD(U) seeks to underline its political position in Bihar while also highlighting Nitish Kumar's legacy and the party's future leadership.

Expert View

Sanjay Jha's remarks underline the JD(U)'s emphasis on its organisational and electoral role in Bihar and its relationship with the NDA. His comments on Nitish Kumar and Nishant Kumar also bring the party's leadership transition and future political direction into focus.