Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi defended Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar amid allegations of disrespecting the national anthem, asserting that there was "nothing wrong with him" and criticising those who, he claimed, were new to politics and attempting to question Kumar’s respect for national symbols.
Manjhi reaffirmed the NDA’s commitment to contesting the upcoming Bihar assembly elections under Kumar’s leadership, emphasising his long tenure and contributions to governance in the state.
Addressing reporters in his Lok Sabha constituency of Gaya on Saturday, Manjhi stated that Kumar had been Bihar’s chief minister for 20 years, during which his governance had been widely recognised and appreciated.
He dismissed opposition criticisms, stating that the NDA was confident of securing victory in the assembly polls later this year with Kumar leading the alliance.
The controversy stemmed from Kumar’s behavior at a recent event in Patna, where he was seen smiling and waving at attendees while the national anthem played. The opposition, particularly Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, seized on the incident to question Kumar’s fitness to govern.
However, Manjhi brushed off the criticism, insisting that Kumar’s actions were not inappropriate. He took a veiled dig at Yadav, remarking that those who had only recently entered politics should not attempt to lecture Kumar on how to respect the national anthem.
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Responding to a poster put up by the RJD branding Kumar as a 'khalnaayak' (villain), Manjhi retorted that the opposition itself deserved the label, accusing them of making baseless statements out of desperation for power. His remarks reflected the growing tensions between the ruling NDA and the RJD-led opposition as Bihar heads into election season.
Notably, Manjhi himself had expressed doubts about Kumar’s condition in the past. Two years ago, when Kumar was part of the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, he had openly speculated that the chief minister was being "served food laced with substances that could make him go insane."
This came after Kumar had rebuked Manjhi inside the Bihar Assembly, reminding him that he had become chief minister due to Kumar’s support.
However, political equations shifted ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with Kumar returning to the NDA fold. The reconciliation was further cemented when Manjhi’s son, Santosh, was inducted into the Bihar state cabinet, marking a renewed political alliance between the two leaders.
Also Read: Tejashwi Yadav slams Nitish Kumar, says he should retire
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