an unusual moment unfolded at an appointment letter distribution ceremony in Patna, Bihar, capturing the attention of attendees, media, and political observers across India. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a veteran politician and the state’s longest-serving leader, playfully placed a potted plant on the head of Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of Education, Dr. S. Siddharth, during a formal event at the LN Mishra Institute for Social and Economic Change. The unexpected gesture, which left the audience in a mix of laughter and disbelief, quickly went viral, sparking widespread discussion. While some saw it as a lighthearted act, the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) seized the opportunity to question Kumar’s mental state, reigniting debates about his leadership and health. This blog explores the incident, its political context, the public and opposition reactions, and the broader implications for Bihar’s governance and political landscape.
The Incident: A Playful Act or a Misstep?
The event in Patna was meant to be a routine affair, celebrating the distribution of appointment letters to newly recruited government employees. As part of the ceremony, Dr. S. Siddharth, a senior bureaucrat and director of the LN Mishra Institute, presented a potted plant to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as a gesture of respect. In a surprising turn, Kumar, with a smile, took the plant and placed it on Siddharth’s head, catching the bureaucrat and audience off guard. Videos of the moment, shared widely on social media platforms like X, showed Siddharth’s startled expression before the crowd erupted in laughter. Kumar, seemingly unfazed, continued with the ceremony as if nothing unusual had occurred.
For many in attendance, the act appeared to be a spontaneous display of Kumar’s quirky humor, a trait that has occasionally surfaced during his long political career. However, the opposition RJD saw it differently, labeling the incident “shocking and shameful.” RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary went further, suggesting that Kumar’s actions reflected a lack of mental control, stating, “His activities are bringing shame to the state. He is being controlled by a group of bureaucrats.” This sharp critique added fuel to an already polarized political discourse in Bihar, where Kumar’s leadership has been a lightning rod for controversy.
A Pattern of Unconventional Behavior
This was not the first time Nitish Kumar’s actions have raised eyebrows. Over the past year, the 74-year-old leader has been at the center of several incidents that have drawn scrutiny from opponents and allies alike. In January 2025, Kumar sparked controversy by clapping during a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary, an act deemed inappropriate by the RJD, which again questioned his mental state. Earlier, in November 2024, he attempted to touch Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s feet at a public event in Darbhanga, a gesture that opposition leaders, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad, criticized as a sign of weakness. In June 2024, Kumar was seen playfully banging the heads of two cabinet colleagues, and in July, he offered to touch the feet of an engineer for completing a project on time.
These incidents, often described as “gaffes” by the media, have fueled speculation about Kumar’s health and mental acuity. In March 2025, at the inauguration of the Sepak Takraw World Cup in Patna, Kumar abruptly left the stage before the national anthem, further adding to concerns about his behavior. Critics, including RJD leaders and political strategist Prashant Kishor, have pointed to these moments as evidence of a decline, with Kishor previously accusing Kumar of squandering opportunities for Bihar’s development despite his long tenure. Posts on X have amplified these sentiments, with one user comparing Kumar to U.S. President Joe Biden, suggesting, “Something is very wrong with him.”
Political Context: A Fragile Alliance and Opposition Attacks
Nitish Kumar, the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) supremo, has been a towering figure in Bihar politics, serving as Chief Minister for nearly two decades. His tenure has been marked by significant developmental strides, including improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, and women’s empowerment through initiatives like the Jeevika project for rural self-help groups. However, his frequent political flip-flops—most recently rejoining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in January 2024 after parting ways with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan—have made him a polarizing figure.
The flowerpot incident comes at a sensitive time, with Bihar’s assembly elections looming in October 2025. The NDA, comprising JD(U) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), relies heavily on Kumar’s leadership and his loyal 14% vote base, particularly among the Kurmi and Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) communities. However, tensions within the alliance have surfaced. In March 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while praising Kumar’s 20 years of governance, notably refrained from naming him as the NDA’s chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming polls, a move interpreted as a sign of the BJP’s ambivalence about Kumar’s leadership given his recent behavior.
The RJD, led by Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav, has capitalized on these incidents to portray Kumar as unfit to lead. The opposition’s narrative frames Kumar as a leader whose erratic actions embarrass Bihar and undermine its governance. RJD leaders have pointed to the state’s bureaucratic dominance, with Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh alleging that ministers are sidelined in favor of bureaucrats, a claim echoed in the wake of the flowerpot incident. The RJD’s criticism is strategic, aiming to weaken Kumar’s credibility ahead of the elections and position Tejashwi Yadav as a viable alternative.
Public and Media Reactions: Laughter, Concern, and Debate
The flowerpot incident has elicited a range of reactions. For some, it was a moment of levity, a rare glimpse of Kumar’s playful side in an otherwise formal setting. The audience’s laughter, as captured in videos, suggests that many saw it as harmless, if surprising, humor. However, the viral spread of the footage on platforms like X has amplified scrutiny, with users and media outlets dissecting the moment. Some posts expressed concern, with one user stating, “He is becoming the Joe Biden of India,” reflecting a growing perception that Kumar’s actions may indicate deeper issues. Others, however, defended Kumar, arguing that the incident was overblown and that his long record of governance should not be overshadowed by a single act.
The media has played a significant role in shaping the narrative. Coverage of the incident has ranged from lighthearted reporting, focusing on the audience’s laughter, to critical analyses questioning Kumar’s fitness for office. The opposition’s swift response, branding the act as “shameful,” has ensured that the incident remains a focal point of political discourse. The RJD’s framing of Kumar as a leader “controlled by bureaucrats” taps into broader criticisms of his administration, particularly the perception that unelected officials wield disproportionate power.
The Health Question: Speculation vs. Reality
Speculation about Nitish Kumar’s health has been a recurring theme in Bihar’s political landscape. At 74, Kumar is among India’s longest-serving chief ministers, and his physical and mental stamina have been points of discussion, particularly since 2024. Critics, including Prashant Kishor and RJD leaders, have alluded to his “deteriorating mental state,” citing incidents like the flowerpot episode and his earlier gaffes. In August 2024, Kumar himself addressed these rumors during an Independence Day event, asserting his physical robustness after being surprised to learn that a “senior” resident of a Dalit settlement was younger than him. “Look at me. Nobody can guess my age, given the robustness of my physical health,” he said, attempting to dispel concerns.
However, incidents like the flowerpot placement and his attempt to touch Prime Minister Modi’s feet have kept the speculation alive. The BJP, while publicly supportive of Kumar, has shown signs of distancing itself. Reports from April 2024 suggest that Kumar was not invited to share the stage with Modi at rallies due to his “embarrassing” behavior, a decision explained officially as a logistical necessity during Bihar’s multi-phase polls. The BJP’s reluctance to name Kumar as its chief ministerial candidate in March 2025 further fuels speculation that the party is preparing for a post-Kumar era, possibly eyeing its own leader for the role if the NDA secures a majority.
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