Bihar CM Nitish Kumar
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has long been known for maintaining direct communication with the people. Even before assuming power in Bihar in 2005, he regularly reached out to citizens and built personal contact with them. After coming to office, he undertook more than a dozen statewide tours and actively sought public feedback. However, for quite some time now, the Chief Minister has been increasingly distancing himself from direct interaction with the public.
From the Janata Darbar to programmes at the party office, platforms meant for public engagement have remained largely inactive. Even at official events, Nitish Kumar is seldom seen meeting people. Security arrangements have become so stringent that ordinary citizens are unable to approach him, leading to a visible gap between the Chief Minister and party workers as well.
Before coming to power in 2005, Nitish Kumar had launched the Nyay Yatra. After assuming office, he frequently visited people to seek feedback, based on which several key schemes—including the bicycle scheme and the school uniform scheme—were introduced. Decisions ranging from prohibition to various welfare measures were also shaped by public suggestions. Through the Janata Darbar, he once heard people’s grievances and ensured on-the-spot solutions. That forum, too, has now been discontinued.
Meetings with Workers Stopped
Earlier, Nitish Kumar would meet party workers and leaders face-to-face at the JD(U) office and address their concerns. This practice has also been halted for a long period. Traditionally, the Chief Minister met the general public on January 1 each year, but this time he interacted with only a select few. Though he appears active, he avoids mingling with the masses. Observers say the security cordon has been tightened to such an extent that ordinary people cannot reach him.
JD(U) Leader’s Clarification
As the opposition continues to target the Chief Minister over his growing distance from the public, senior JD(U) leader and MLC Sanjay Gandhi defended him, saying Nitish Kumar is always among the people. He claimed the Chief Minister regularly attends programmes and meets people, and remains at the party office as long as required.
“The Chief Minister attends programmes continuously from morning till afternoon and also visits the party office. As for staying only 10 minutes—if the work takes just 10 minutes, why should he stay longer?” Sanjay Gandhi said.
Opposition’s Attack
The opposition, however, has intensified its criticism. RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad alleged that the Chief Minister is no longer in a position to meet ordinary citizens or even his own party workers. “In reality, officers and a few close ministers are running the government,” he said.
He further claimed that due to the Chief Minister’s behaviour, most programmes are now held online. Even when offline events take place, security is so tight that no one can get close to him. Referring to the recent controversy involving a woman doctor whose hijab was allegedly pulled during an appointment letter distribution, Ahmad said officials and ministers now prefer that the Chief Minister avoids public interaction altogether.
Distance from the Media Too
Although several programmes are still organised at the Chief Minister’s residence, live broadcasts through various platforms have been discontinued. Nitish Kumar has previously courted controversy over his conduct, including the recent hijab incident involving a Muslim woman doctor, which drew nationwide and international attention. The issue remains unresolved, and the doctor has yet to join duty. In the wake of these developments, the Chief Minister has also distanced himself from the media.
Major government announcements are now being communicated primarily through social media. Party leaders argue that social media is an effective and accessible medium, and the Chief Minister is making use of it accordingly. However, overall, direct interaction programmes involving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have virtually ceased, and the likelihood of such engagements resuming appears slim.
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