NEW DELHI: Prashant Kishor, the leader of the Jan Suraaj Party, called for a medical bulletin on Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s mental health on Tuesday. He alleged that Nitish was being kept away from public events and media interactions to prevent public scrutiny.
Speaking at a press conference in Sheikhpura district, Kishor noted that despite these precautions, the JD(U) chief continues to attract attention for his unusual conduct.
Kishor, who previously worked with JD(U) before being expelled following disagreements with Kumar, stated, “Concerns over the chief minister’s mental health were first raised by his close aide, the late Sushil Modi, in 2023. For the last couple of years, the people of Bihar have been observing his behaviour.”
Although efforts have been made to limit Kumar’s public appearances and press interactions, he still draws attention for his irregular behaviour, according to Kishor. “Kumar has been forgetting the names of cabinet colleagues. He has also been unable to remember, while on tour, which district he was in. During recent agitations over BPSC exams, I learnt he was not aware of the happenings in the state,” the 47-year-old political figure asserted.
He further remarked, “If a medical bulletin is issued, it will remove from the minds of the people any misgivings about Nitish Kumar’s soundness of mind. But I am sure he will not agree to such a thing.”
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Kishor has consistently criticised Kumar’s leadership in recent weeks. He alleged that the BJP was using Kumar as a front to maintain control and condemned the latest cabinet expansion, suggesting it was an inappropriate use of public resources before the administration’s tenure concludes.
Meanwhile, in response to growing concerns, Kumar’s son Nishant and JD(U) party officials have rejected any suggestions about the chief minister’s wellbeing. Nishant has insisted that his father remains “100 per cent fit” and is capable of undertaking another term in office.
