India, March 15 -- A moment of visible irritation by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar during his recent public outreach programme has triggered renewed debate over the state of his political appeal as he prepares to transition to the Rajya Sabha after nearly two decades of leading Bihar's government.

During a Jan Samwad (public rally) event in Khagaria district on March 13, part of Kumar's five-day Samriddhi Yatra, the chief minister was forced to interrupt his speech to admonish sections of the audience leaving the venue midway. The incident unfolded at Sansarpur Maidan when the chief minister noticed people dispersing while he was still addressing the gathering.

Visibly displeased, Kumar urged the crowd to stay back, calling out from...