Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary on 1 October 2026 sharply criticised Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over her reported remarks about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, asserting that Kumar neither needs nor seeks validation from anyone for his political record. The remarks from Choudhary, a senior Janata Dal (United) leader, came in Patna and mark the latest salvo in a widening war of words between the JD(U) and the Congress.

Choudhary's Defence of Nitish Kumar

Choudhary argued that Nitish Kumar had carved out a distinct identity through decades of governance work, and that people across Bihar widely recognise him as a 'Vikas Purush' — or Man of Development. He said Kumar had always let his work speak for itself rather than chase personal recognition or seek endorsements from rival political formations.

'He does not require anyone's certificate,' Choudhary said, pushing back directly at what he described as unwarranted criticism from the Congress leadership.

What Triggered the Exchange

The fresh political flashpoint follows reports that Sonia Gandhi made critical remarks about Nitish Kumar at a Congress Working Committee meeting. The JD(U) responded swiftly, with multiple senior leaders going public with rebuttals. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha both publicly countered the reported remarks before Choudhary added his voice to the chorus.

This comes against the backdrop of Kumar's decision in early 2024 to exit the Opposition INDIA Bloc and realign with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) — a move that deepened the political rift between the JD(U) and Congress. Critics from the Congress have since repeatedly questioned Kumar's political trajectory.

Choudhary's Broader Attack on Congress

Going beyond the immediate exchange, Choudhary claimed that political parties which had allied with the Congress over the years had ultimately suffered at the ballot box. He argued that the Congress itself was in a weakened state in Bihar but was continuing to target the JD(U)'s leadership from that diminished position. The remarks signal a deliberate JD(U) strategy to frame the Congress as an unreliable and declining political force in the state.

Internal JD(U) Dissent and Flood Watch

Choudhary was also asked about JD(U) MLA Anant Singh's public backing of Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh in the Patna Graduates' constituency — a move that cuts against the party's official candidate, incumbent MLC Neeraj Kumar. Choudhary called the matter 'old', noting it had already been discussed roughly 15 days earlier, and indicated the party would handle it internally.

Separately, Choudhary commented on the rising water levels of the Ganga River, saying the state government was maintaining a close watch. The administration, he said, remained on alert and was continuously monitoring river levels and the evolving flood situation across Bihar, where several areas have been affected by heavy rainfall and elevated discharge in major river systems.

With Bihar's political calendar heating up and flood concerns adding pressure on the administration, the JD(U)–Congress exchanges are unlikely to subside in the near term.