NEW DELHI: Bihar chief ministerNitish Kumar has once again come under scrutiny from opposition leaders over his public conduct and health.A video, shared by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, shows Nitish Kumar at a virtual event also attended by PM Modi, sitting with folded hands for an extended period while another leader read out the programme details.
He can be seen slightly moving his hands while keeping them folded, glancing sideways briefly, and smiling at one point.Commenting on the video, Yadav said, as quoted by ANI, “Such incidents are continuously coming to light… Now, Nitish Kumar is no longer fit to run Bihar. Now his condition is not good. Some leaders are using his face to fill their own coffers. In the coming times, everyone’s true colours will be revealed…”Kumar, who also heads the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), has faced repeated questions about his mental capacity from opposition leaders and political activists, many of whom have demanded that he step down.This incident follows another recent video where Kumar, while welcoming PM Narendra Modi, went beyond pleasantries and instructed the audience to stand and applaud. “I once again congratulate and thank him. He is doing so much for the entire country and also for Bihar,” he said earnestly, before directing the crowd, “Zara khada ho kar ke inko ek baar pranaam kariye. Khada hoke pranaam kariye (Stand up and pay your respects to him once.)”When some attendees did not immediately rise, he said, “Khaahe baithe hue ho? Ae, khada ho! Waha baithe hue ho, khada ho. Khada hoke bolo. (Why are you sitting? You there, stand up! Over there also, get up. Stand up and say it!)”Earlier, another viral video had shown Kumar speaking with his chief secretary during the national anthem, which sparked criticism for allegedly disrespecting the anthem and reinforced calls from opposition leaders for his resignation.
