Patna: In a striking departure from a two-decade-old tradition, CM Nitish Kumar stayed away from the Eid-ul-Fitr congregation at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on Saturday with his son Nishant Kumar stepping in to represent him at the gathering. The move instantly drew political attention, as it was the first time since Nov 2005 that Nitish did not attend the Eid namaz at the Maidan. The only exceptions were in 2020 and 2021, when the prayers could not be organised due to restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.Nishant, who recently joined the JD(U), was accompanied by the CM’s usual security detail and rural works minister Ashok Choudhary. At the venue, Muslim leaders welcomed Nishant by draping a “gamchha” over him, a gesture that immediately sparked political interest.
Nitish’s absence from the Eid congregation comes at a time when speculation about his political future has intensified. The development coincides with his recent election to the Rajya Sabha and growing talk that he may step down from the CM’s post, potentially paving the way for a new govt in Bihar, most likely to be led by a leader from the BJP.In this backdrop, many observers viewed Nitish’s absence from the Gandhi Maidan Eid event as significant. Some saw it as an indication that the JD(U) national president, who is seeking another three-year term as party chief, may be gradually introducing his only son to public and political life.Several leaders within the NDA believe Nitish is increasingly projecting Nishant as part of a carefully calibrated political succession while preparing himself for a larger national role in the Rajya Sabha.That impression had begun to take shape earlier this month. On March 18, when Nitish hosted a Dawat-e-Iftar at his official residence, 1 Anne Marg in Patna, Nishant was given unusual prominence. He sat among the roza observers at the place where Nitish himself had traditionally sat in previous years. Nitish, by contrast, was seen seated behind on a chair. Nishant wore a traditional skullcap and a gamchha, while his father wore neither and sat with folded hands.Senior Muslim intellectuals said Nitish has long used Eid celebrations at Gandhi Maidan as a symbol of public outreach and communal harmony. Since 2005, he had regularly visited the Maidan during Eid prayers to greet thousands of worshippers from the Muslim community. He was personally present there in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and in 2022 had expressed happiness at seeing large crowds return to the tradition after the pandemic-hit years.Even though he skipped the mass prayers at Gandhi Maidan this Saturday, Nitish remained active in Eid outreach elsewhere in the city. He visited several Sufi shrines, or khanqahs, in Patna to exchange greetings with religious leaders and devotees.According to a communiqué from the Chief Minister’s Office, Nitish first visited Khanqah-Mujeebia in Phulwarisharif, where he met Sajjada Nasheen Hazrat Saiyed Shah Ayatullah Qadri, sought his blessings and extended Eid greetings and best wishes.He later visited Khanqah-e-Munaemia at Mittan Ghat in Patna City, where, along with Sajjada Nasheen Hazrat Saiyed Shah Shameemuddin Ahmad Munami, he offered prayers for peace, prosperity and the well-being of the state. He also greeted the people present there.After that, Nitish visited Khanqah Bargah-e-Ishq at Takiya Sharif, also at Mittan Ghat, where he extended greetings and best wishes to Sajjada Nasheen Saiyed Shah Khwaja Aamir Shahid and others.
