Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Sonia Gandhi’s Reported Nitish Remark Draws JD(U) Allies’ Anger
Media reports say Sonia Gandhi called Nitish Kumar a “traitor” at a Congress meeting.
The remark has not been independently confirmed in the report.
Leaders from Kumar’s party, the JD(U), strongly criticized Sonia Gandhi.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh said Kumar is respected by people in Bihar and does not need her approval.
Sanjay Kumar Jha also defended Kumar’s role in bringing opposition leaders together.
Kumar helped create the INDIA bloc after leaving the BJP-led alliance in 2022.
He later left that coalition and returned to the NDA in 2024.
The disagreement is about Kumar’s political choices and his contribution to opposition unity.
Media reports said Sonia Gandhi called Nitish Kumar a “traitor” at a Congress Working Committee meeting in Delhi.
JD(U) leaders criticized the reported remark and defended Kumar’s political record.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh accused Congress of making objectionable remarks and recalled the Emergency.
Sanjay Kumar Jha said Kumar helped bring opposition leaders together and create the INDIA bloc.
Kumar left the INDIA bloc and returned to the NDA in 2024 after partners declined to name him convener.
- Who
- Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, and JD(U) leaders Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Sanjay Kumar Jha.
- What
- A reported remark by Gandhi calling Kumar a “traitor” prompted criticism from his close aides.
- When
- The remark was reportedly made at a Congress Working Committee meeting a day before September 30; the report does not specify a year.
- Where
- The reported remark was made in Delhi; the reactions included statements from Patna.
- Why
- JD(U) leaders objected to the reported characterization of Kumar and emphasized his role in forming the INDIA bloc.
Reported Congress Criticism
JD(U)’s Rebuttal
Nitish Kumar’s political conduct
Reported Congress Criticism
Media reports attributed a “traitor” remark about Kumar to Sonia Gandhi, though the report does not provide a direct confirmation from her.
JD(U)’s Rebuttal
JD(U) leaders rejected the characterization and said Kumar is respected by his supporters and does not require Sonia Gandhi’s approval.
Role in opposition unity
Reported Congress Criticism
Kumar later left the INDIA bloc after alliance partners reportedly resisted naming him its convener.
JD(U)’s Rebuttal
JD(U) leaders emphasized that Kumar helped convene opposition leaders and played a key role in conceiving the INDIA bloc.
Democracy record
Reported Congress Criticism
The report does not include a detailed Congress response to the criticism.
JD(U)’s Rebuttal
Rajiv Ranjan Singh accused Congress of having damaged democracy during the Emergency and said democracy has grown stronger under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Reported remark
- Sonia Gandhi was reported to have called Nitish Kumar a “traitor” at a Congress Working Committee meeting.
- JD(U) response
- Rajiv Ranjan Singh called the reported comments objectionable and said Kumar did not need Sonia Gandhi’s certificate.
- INDIA bloc role
- JD(U) leaders said Kumar traveled across the country and invited leaders to the Patna meeting where the coalition idea was conceived.
- Political shift in 2022
- Kumar ended ties with the BJP and formed a government with Congress, the RJD and the Left.
- Return to NDA
- Kumar returned to the NDA in 2024, weeks before the Lok Sabha election schedule was announced.
- Additional reaction
- JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha said Congress appeared to have belatedly recognized Kumar’s value.