NEW DELHI: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday slammed Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar for showing disrespect to the national anthem and once again raised questions on his mental and physical health.
The leader of the opposition in Bihar assembly shared a video on social media platform X in which Nitish Kumar is seen “talking” to his chief secretary on the stage as the national anthem played out. When the chief secretary tried to stop him, the chief minister ignored his intervention and continued with his conversation nudging the officer on his shoulders again and again. Later, Nitish Kumar folded his hands to greet those standing in the front while all others on the stage were in attention for the national anthem.
Taking a dig at Nitish, Tejashwi wrote a post script: “Let us remind you that you are the chief minister of a large state. You are not stable physically or mentally even for a few seconds. Your continuance in this position in such a state is a matter of grave concern for the state. Do not repeatedly insult Bihar like this. #TejashwiYadav”
The video was also shared by RJD supremo and former chief minister Lalu Prasad. “India will not stand the insult of the national anthem,” Lalu wrote and asked the people of Bihar if anything else was still left?
Also read: ‘Physically tired and mentally retired’: Prashant Kishor’s jibe at Bihar CM Nitish Kumar
This is not the first time that Nitish Kumar’s actions or his utterances in the public have raised questions. The opposition in the state has been raising questions on the health of Nitish Kumar and pushing the narrative that he is incapable of governing Bihar any longer.
Tejashwi, in particular, has been unsparing in his attacks on the chief minister demanding his immediate resignation over alleged insulting behaviour towards women and erratic actions in the Bihar Assembly and Council.
“We now feel pity for Nitish Kumar. His repeated speeches and actions in the House clearly show he is not normal. For the sake of Bihar, he should resign on his own,” the RJD leader said yesterday.
“We even pray for his health, as his behaviour raises serious concerns. He is unconscious and it is hard to understand how he is running the government,” Yadav stated.
It’s not just Tejashwi attacking Nitish. political strategist turned activist Prashant Kishor had recently attacked Nitish Kumar calling him “physically tired and mentally retired.”
Kishor, who has floated his own outfit Jan Suraaj Party and will contest the year-end assembly elections, had thrown an open dare to Nitish Kumar. “I challenge Nitish to spell out the names of ministers in the state cabinet without looking at a piece of paper. If Nitish Kumar thus demonstrates his mental soundness, I would give up politics and start working for him,” Prashant Kishor had said last month.
Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant and other JD(U) leaders have rubbished rumors regarding the chief minister’s health. That notwithstanding, as the election approaches, we will see more and more of such attacks on Nitish Kumar.
‘Nitish Kumar is Bihar’s pride’: Jitan Ram Manjhi defends Bihar CM
Meanwhile, former Bihar CM and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi has come out in strong support of chief minister Nitish Kumar, asserting that those who once disrespected Bihar are now questioning its leader.
Taking a swipe at the opposition, Manjhi said, “Lalu Yadav and his party had turned ‘Bihar’ into an insult, but it was Nitish Kumar who restored the state’s honor on the international stage.” He added that while people still shudder at memories of Lalu’s rule, Kumar remains Bihar’s beloved leader.
“Yesterday, today, and in the future—Nitish Kumar will always be the pride of Bihar,” Manjhi said on X.
