Bihar: Nitish Kumar fast becoming a liability for NDA?

"I have known him (Nitish Kumar) for a long time; but he is not the same man and the language he uses these days is insulting," said Rabri Devi on Friday, 21 March while chatting with this correspondent at the Bihar assembly. The Bihar chief minister was missing from the House today, but in the course of the week he had already targeted the lady thrice, the proceedings marked by sharp exchanges between the two, with both barely able to contain their anger.

Nitish Kumar, known for his measured and careful use of language, has of late overcome his inhibitions and has been speaking contemptuously of Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi and, of course, their son Tejashwi Yadav. “Ye kya jaanti hai… ye mukhya mantri tab bani jab iska pati jail gaya (what does this woman know? She became the CM merely because her husband went to jail)." On several occasions, he mockingly declared that the lady knew nothing.

Rabri Devi recalled that late BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi was the leader of the opposition for a long time while she was CM. "He criticised the government but never used such foul language," she said. She also says she has tried to be patient with Nitish Kumar, adding that "Even saheb (Lalu Prasad) tells me not to make personal attacks on Nitish."

But there are limits to her patience, she insists, as she showed by launching a savage attack on the chief minister this week, telling media persons that the CM comes to the House after taking drugs. "He should resign and make his son the CM instead," she fumed.

Political circles in the state have been agog with speculation about the chief minister’s neurological condition. He was said to have been suffering from a degenerative disease and apparently went to England for consultations.

Now, they are openly talking about the progressive dementia that the CM is said to be suffering from. The whispers have become louder following a series of embarrassing incidents, with Nitish ignoring the national anthem and walking off stage, and touching the feet of not just the prime minister but also state government employees.

"I am worried about the CM. Who is running the state? PM Modi recently addressed Nitish as his ladley CM. The same CM is now insulting the national anthem. I feel ashamed," Tejashwi Yadav said this week.

Even Jan Suraaj leader and political strategist Prrashant Kishor took potshots and quipped that though PM Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah know about Nitish Kumar’s health, they are still projecting him as the NDA’s CM face for the 2025 assembly polls.

The Bihar assembly and legislative council had to be adjourned amidst chaotic scenes on Friday, with the Opposition making Nitish Kumar’s alleged insult of the national anthem an issue and demanding that he resigns. The budget was passed amidst the din and the houses were adjourned.

NDA alliance partners tried their level best to defend the chief minister. "There is no greater patriot than Nitish Kumar. He initiated the Bihar Diwas functions," said JDU minister Ashok Choudhary, dismissing the CM’s conduct while the national anthem was being sung as a minor fiasco. "Tejashwi Yadav should focus on not giving tickets to anti-nationals. He himself is facing corruption charges", remarked deputy CM Vijay Sinha.

Privately, however, they are worried. "Nitish Kumar is turning into a liability for the NDA," remarked a BJP leader not wishing to be quoted, and hinting at a change of strategy which may be decided during Amit Shah's next visit to Bihar.