Anand Mohan slams JD(U) inner circle, alleges money-bag politics sidelining Nitish
Synopsis
Former MP Anand Mohan has accused Nitish Kumar's closest aides of burying the Bihar CM 'politically alive' — erasing him from party banners, sidelining loyalists, and handing cabinet berths to cash-bearing newcomers. The 'Chandal Chaukadi' charge against the CM's inner circle is the sharpest public rebuke JD(U) has faced from within its own orbit in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Anand Mohan on 18 May accused JD(U) insiders of sidelining Nitish Kumar and running 'money-bag politics' in Bihar .
He alleged Nitish Kumar's photograph was absent even at the swearing-in ceremony attended by 85 legislators .
Senior leaders Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav have reportedly been dropped from party banners across Bihar.
Anand Mohan alleged his son Chetan Anand was denied a cabinet berth due to 'cash-for-ministerial-post' practices within JD(U).
He described Nitish Kumar's close aides as a 'Chandal Chaukadi' , accusing them of undermining both the CM and the broader NDA alliance.
He cited the MLC elections in Bhojpur–Buxar as early evidence that voters are rejecting money-driven politics.
Former MP Anand Mohan launched a scathing attack on the Janata Dal (United) leadership in Patna on 18 May, alleging that the party has abandoned its ideological foundations and is now steered by financial clout rather than political merit. His remarks targeted those closest to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whom he accused of systematically marginalising the CM and loyal party workers alike.
Nitish Kumar 'Politically Buried Alive', Alleges Anand Mohan
Anand Mohan did not mince words in describing what he sees as the diminishing stature of Nitish Kumar within his own party. 'Today, Nitish Kumar has been politically buried alive. His face is nowhere to be seen — even when he was present on the dais during the swearing-in ceremony alongside 85 legislators, his photograph was missing,' he alleged.
He pointed to a visible shift in party communication, noting that earlier banners and posters prominently featured Nitish Kumar alongside Deputy Chief Ministers, whereas current hoardings across Bihar have dropped senior leaders such as Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav. 'If these leaders support you, why are their names and faces absent from the posters?' he asked.
The 'Chandal Chaukadi' Charge and Insider Criticism
In one of his sharpest remarks, Anand Mohan described Nitish Kumar's close aides as a 'Chandal Chaukadi' — a notorious quartet — accusing them of corroding the party from within. 'These advisors have buried Nitish Kumar alive. Do they only take him out for walks and meals? Why don't they question why he has disappeared from public messaging?' he said.
He also referenced leaders such as Sarfuddin, questioning the treatment meted out to long-standing loyalists while newer entrants with financial backing reportedly gain favour. Anand Mohan recalled resigning from the Cabinet at Nitish Kumar's signal, only to find himself sidelined despite that act of loyalty.
Money-Bag Politics and Cabinet Induction Row
Anand Mohan alleged that the non-induction of his son Chetan Anand into the Cabinet is symptomatic of a deeper malaise. 'Today, it is not individuals but money that speaks. Those arriving with bags of cash are being rewarded with ministerial positions,' he alleged. He argued that such practices are weakening not just JD(U) but the broader National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar.
Notably, he was careful to exempt the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from his criticism, directing his fire exclusively at those in Nitish Kumar's immediate circle.
Social Discontent and Electoral Warning
Anand Mohan also raised the issue of backward communities in Bihar, claiming they did not celebrate Holi this year — a signal, he argued, of growing political disillusionment among communities that had seen increased participation over the past two decades. Citing the recent MLC elections in the Bhojpur–Buxar region, he contended that voters have already begun rejecting what he termed money-driven politics. Whether these remarks translate into organised opposition or remain individual dissent will be closely watched ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Point of View
It signals that internal patronage disputes have crossed the private-negotiation threshold. The erasure of Nitish Kumar from party banners — if accurate — is a striking optic failure for a coalition that depends on his personal brand. More broadly, the NDA's Bihar arithmetic has always rested on managing competing caste and loyalty blocs; a public falling-out with a leader who commands Rajput and upper-caste sympathy is not a cost-free episode, especially with the next assembly election on the horizon.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anand Mohan allege against JD(U) leadership?
Anand Mohan alleged that JD(U) is now driven by 'money-bag politics', with ministerial positions being handed to those who arrive with cash rather than loyal party workers. He accused Nitish Kumar's inner circle — whom he called a 'Chandal Chaukadi' — of sidelining the CM and undermining the party from within.
Why did Anand Mohan say Nitish Kumar has been 'politically buried alive'?
He pointed to Nitish Kumar's photograph being absent from the swearing-in ceremony dais despite the CM being physically present alongside 85 legislators, and to the removal of senior leaders from party banners across Bihar as evidence of the CM's diminishing visibility within his own party.
What is the controversy around Chetan Anand and the Bihar cabinet?
Anand Mohan alleged that his son Chetan Anand was denied a cabinet berth not on merit but because of the alleged practice of rewarding those who bring financial resources to the party. He cited this as a direct example of money-bag politics within JD(U).
Did Anand Mohan criticise the BJP in his remarks?
No. Anand Mohan explicitly stated he does not blame the Bharatiya Janata Party for the situation, directing his criticism solely at those in Nitish Kumar's immediate circle whom he holds responsible for isolating the CM and weakening the NDA alliance in Bihar.
What electoral signal did Anand Mohan cite to back his claims?
He cited the recent MLC elections in the Bhojpur–Buxar region as evidence that voters are already rejecting money-driven politics, arguing that public discontent — including backward communities reportedly not celebrating Holi this year — reflects growing disillusionment with JD(U)'s current direction.
