Is Nitish Kumar Really in Good Health? JD-U Responds

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Gopal Mandal defends Nitish Kumar amid health concerns.
- Importance of Nishant Kumar's political involvement.
- Opposition criticism intensifies as 2025 Assembly elections approach.
- Political narratives shape perceptions of leadership.
- JD-U aims to project Nitish Kumar as capable and active.
Patna, July 3 (NationPress) JD-U MLA Gopal Mandal strongly defended Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday, countering ongoing criticisms from the opposition regarding the CM's mental health, asserting that 'Nitish Kumar is absolutely fine.'
“He recently had his teeth cleaned, which may alter his way of speaking slightly, but there is absolutely nothing amiss. He is in good health,” Gopal Mandal informed reporters, dismissing the concerns regarding Nitish Kumar’s mental state.
When asked about Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar entering politics, Gopal Mandal emphasized the necessity for him to join JD-U to ensure party cohesion.
“If he chooses not to join, it might lead to confusion among workers, with some potentially gravitating towards RJD, BJP, or LJP (RV). Nishant Kumar, like his father, is an educated engineer, and if he delays entering politics, it could create turmoil within JD-U,” Mandal asserted.
Bihar's Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has persistently criticized Nitish Kumar, suggesting the Chief Minister is becoming “tired” and “has lost consciousness.”
He claimed that the Bihar government is being steered by retired bureaucrats, while Nitish Kumar remains merely a figurehead.
Alongside Tejashwi Yadav, Congress leaders and Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor have also targeted Nitish Kumar regarding his age.
These comments have intensified as Bihar approaches the 2025 Assembly elections, with the opposition leveraging Nitish’s age and purported health issues to challenge his capacity to effectively lead the state.
Gopal Mandal’s remarks illustrate JD-U’s strategy to portray Nitish Kumar as active and competent ahead of the elections. The party is concerned about possible confusion among its ranks should Nishant Kumar not engage in politics.
This statement by Gopal Mandal seeks to contest the opposition's narrative that Nitish Kumar is weak or ineffective.