The Rashtriya Janata Dal has upped the ante against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after he was seen on stage nudging the chief secretary and also trying to involve him in conversation while the national anthem was being played.
Accusing Nitish of "insulting" the national anthem, former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD leader Rabri Devi said that Nitish should hand over the mantle to his son Nishant Kumar as he is no longer "mentally stable".
"He (Bihar CM Nitish Kumar) is not mentally stable. We demand that he should make his son the chief minister if his mind is not working," Rabri said as the RJD staged a protest on Friday against the CM for insulting the national anthem.
The remarks came a day after Nitish was seen talking to his chief secretary on stage as the national anthem played out. In a video shared by RJD leader and former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, Nitish could be seen speaking and gesturing to the chief secretary who stood next to him on stage as the national anthem played.
Despite the chief secretary trying to stop him, Nitish continued with his nudging -- even greeting some people standing near the stage at one point. All others were seen on stage standing in attention as the national anthem played.
"Nitish Kumar is older to me and is chief minister of Bihar, and I respect him for this. However, the way he insulted the national anthem yesterday, was shameful," Tejashwi said speaking to reporters on Friday.
"This is the first time in India's history that a chief minister has been caught insulting the national anthem," he added.
The RJD has been raising the issue of Nitish Kumar's well being -- both physical and mental -- to drive home the point that he was unfit to serve as the chief minister. "Let us remind you that you are the chief minister of a large state. You are not stable physically or mentally even for a few seconds. Your continuance in this position in such a state is a matter of grave concern for the state. Do not repeatedly insult Bihar like this," he said.
Tejashwi, ho has been particularly unsparing in his attacks against Nitish, said the JD(U) supremo has demonstrated through his speeches and actions in the House that "he is not normal".
"We now feel pity for Nitish Kumar. His repeated speeches and actions in the House clearly show he is not normal. For the sake of Bihar, he should resign on his own," Tejashwi had said yesterday.
Reacting to the incident, Nitish's former ally and poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor also took a sly dig at the Chief Minister and said he would give up politics and start working for him if he could name all ministers in his council without looking at a piece of paper.
"i challenge Nitish to spell out the names of ministers in the state cabinet without looking at a piece of paper. If Nitish Kumar thus proves his mental soundness, I would give up politics and start working for him," Kishor said.
Meanwhile, JD(U) leaders and his son Nishant Kumar have dismissed rumours around the Chief Minister's health.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
