NEW DELHI: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has again come under fire from the opposition RJD over a public gesture at an event attended by Union home minister Amit Shah. The backlash flared-up after a video showed Kumar placing his arm around a woman’s shoulder at a function where central and state projects worth over Rs 800 crore were launched.
The event, held at Bapu Sabhagar auditorium, also saw Shah distributing “dummy cheques” to beneficiaries of various schemes under the Union ministry for cooperation. A middle-aged rural woman, one of the recipients, appeared unsure about Shah’s request to pose for a photograph.
At that moment, Kumar, 74, tugged at her arm and positioned her for the cameras, with his arm resting on her shoulders.
RJD took to X to criticise the chief minister, posting in Hindi: “Just see how chief minister Nitish Kumar is pulling towards himself a woman in an objectionable manner with home minister Amit Shah looking on.”
The party further accused Kumar of embarrassing Bihar, alleging that the BJP-led NDA government was unable to control a leader, opposition claimed was “physically and mentally unwell.”
Earlier this month, Kumar had engaged in an ugly spat with former CM Rabri Devi when she attempted to voice her protest. As she asserted her right to speak about her eight-year tenure, Kumar dismissed her with the Magahi phrase, “Chhoda na, tohra kuchh maloom hai” (You stay out of this. You know nothing about these matters).
In a previous remark, Kumar had also taken a swipe at her appointment as CM, saying, “Jab iske husband doob gaye, to apni wife ko bana diya” (When her husband began to sink, he installed his wife as Chief Minister).
‘Series of public missteps’
This is not the first time Kumar has drawn criticism for his public behaviour. The opposition has repeatedly questioned his health and ability to govern Bihar.
Earlier, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav shared a video allegedly showing Kumar “insulting the national anthem.” “At least please do not insult the national anthem, Hon’ble Chief Minister,” Yadav said on X.
In another incident on Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary, the chief minister was caught on camera suddenly clapping after paying tribute, a moment that quickly went viral on social media.
