Isolated in JDU, Anand Mohan's bet to defend Nitish Kumar backfires over son's snub

Former JD(U) MP and prominent Rajput leader Anand Mohan Singh, who rose to prominence in Bihar’s political corridors by challenging the legacy of Lalu Prasad Yadav during the turbulent time of the ‘90s, now appears to be isolated within the ranks of Janata Dal United (JDU). All thanks to his controversial comments on Nitish Kumar and JD(U)

The leader, who holds significant sway among a vast section of the upper caste voters in Bihar’s Kosi region, recently sparked a controversy by saying that Nitish Kumar, the founding member of the JD(U), is now sidelined in the party and not getting the due respect that he deserves.

The development came after Anand Mohan’s son Chetan, who was elected as an MLA twice on a JD(U) ticket, was not inducted in the recent cabinet expansion under Samrat Chowdhary’s Chief Ministership. In the 2025 Bihar legislative election, Anand won from Bihar’s Nabinagar constituency, defeating his rival RJD candidate by 112 votes.

After Chetan’s exclusion from the cabinet, Anand Mohan pointed his fingers at a section of senior JD(U) leaders, who, according to him, ‘buried Nitish Kumar alive.’ He also said that Kumar’s photo was not prominently visible in the swearing-in ceremony and asked why the leaders who were close to him did not flag an issue.

Shifting the issue to Nitish Kumar, the veteran Bihar political stalwart, who once consolidated the upper-caste votes to challenge Lalu Yadav’s ‘Mandal Mantra’, tried to show that he was not only concerned about his son’s political future but also the alleged decaying legacy of Nitish Kumar inside the party. Something that has massively backfired.

DHRITARASHTRA, SENIOR JDU LEADER’S JIBE AT ANAND MOHAN

As his comments sparked major controversy, senior JD(U) leader Sanjay Singh lashed out at Anand Mohan.

“He has become Dhritarashtra (a fictional character from the Indian epic Mahabharata), who is guided by the desire to see his son’s political success,” Singh said, criticising the leader.

Another JD(U) leader and the Minister of Building Construction in Bihar, Leshi Singh, said that Nitish Kumar is respected by everyone from top to bottom in the party as the most important leader.

Sunil Kumar Singh, another JD(U) leader, said that no one is bigger than the party and that Nitish Kumar’s name should not be used to promote personal or family ambitions.

NITISH KUMAR BACKS PARTY LEADERS, NOT ANAND MOHAN

Following the exchange between Anand Mohan and Sanjay Singh, Nitish Kumar's meeting with Singh was widely interpreted as a clear signal of his backing for the JD(U) leadership over Mohan.

The meeting also came as a major setback to Anand as he tried to portray himself as a figure, fighting for the honour of Nitish Kumar.

In addition, the entire episode also strengthened Samrat Chowdhary as the collective leadership of JD(U) expressed its support for Chowdhary.

And for Chetan Anand, the entire fiasco hurt his political prospects rather than offering any help. The isolation of his father within the party might create new trouble for him in the future.

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