Bihar Building Construction Minister Leshi Singh on Monday publicly countered former MP Anand Mohan's sharp criticism of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, defending his leadership as decisive and unquestioned within the Janata Dal (United). The pushback came after Anand Mohan's remarks at an event in Sitamarhi sparked a fresh round of internal turbulence in the party.

What Anand Mohan Said

At a public gathering in Sitamarhi, Anand Mohan alleged that Nitish Kumar had been 'buried alive' politically — a charged phrase suggesting the Chief Minister had lost effective control of the party. He further claimed that decisions within JD(U) are no longer made by Nitish Kumar but by a 'cabal of four,' and that influence within the organisation is now driven by money rather than merit.

Leshi Singh's Rebuttal

'There is no one in this country who can bury our leader alive. Nitish Kumar resides in the hearts of millions across Bihar, especially among women and the underprivileged,' Leshi Singh said. She asserted that all party decisions are taken under Nitish Kumar's leadership and are widely accepted by workers on the ground.

'No one can question the competence of our leader. Whether it is government policy or party affairs, every decision is taken with full capability,' she added, cautioning that remarks undermining the leadership indirectly challenge the confidence of crores of party supporters.

The Vashishtha Narayan Singh Angle

Anand Mohan had also invoked veteran socialist leader Vashishtha Narayan Singh in his criticism. Leshi Singh dismissed that line of argument, describing Vashishtha Narayan Singh as 'a true socialist who has never sought anything for himself or his family' and noting that he has never publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the party leadership.

The Chetan Anand Cabinet Question

Speculation has mounted that Anand Mohan's discontent is linked to his son Chetan Anand not being inducted into the Bihar cabinet. Leshi Singh declined to address that directly but did not hold back on the manner of the criticism. 'As far as his son's induction is concerned, I will not comment. But the way he has questioned the leadership is something he should have avoided,' she said.

She warned that millions — particularly women — would stand firmly behind Nitish Kumar if any further challenge to his authority emerged. The party leadership, she indicated, would take note of how its authority has been contested.

What This Signals for JD(U)

This is not the first time voices from within the Janata Dal (United) have surfaced against the party's internal functioning. Anand Mohan, a former MP with a significant support base in north Bihar, carries considerable political weight, making his public remarks harder to dismiss as routine dissent. The episode underscores the tensions that often accompany coalition governance in Bihar, where cabinet berths and organisational influence are closely watched. How the party's central leadership chooses to respond — or not — will be closely tracked in the weeks ahead.