Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor launched a sharp attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, asserting that the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] should not win a single seat in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections scheduled for later this year.
Kishor, who now leads his own political outfit, the Jan Suraaj Party, claimed that Kumar was "physically tired and mentally retired."
Kishor’s call for JD(U)’s defeat
Speaking to reporters, Kishor criticised Nitish Kumar’s political maneuvering, stating, “Nitish Kumar has remained in power by frequently switching alliances. This has allowed him to retain the Chief Minister’s post despite JD(U)’s fluctuating seat share.”
Kumar has changed political alignments multiple times over the past decade. He severed ties with the BJP in 2013, only to rejoin the party in 2017 after a brief alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) from 2015 to 2017.
In 2022, he once again shifted allegiances by joining the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, only to return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) last year.
“To break this cycle and ensure that the JD(U) neither aligns with the lotus (BJP) nor the lantern (RJD), I urge the people of Bihar to vote in a manner that prevents the party from winning even a single seat. This is the only way to put an end to the reign of a Chief Minister who is both physically exhausted and mentally retired,” Kishor declared.
Criticism of BJP and cabinet expansion
Kishor also accused the BJP of exploiting Kumar as a political front while enjoying the benefits of power behind the scenes. He alleged that the recent cabinet expansion, carried out just six months before the elections, was nothing more than a tactic to distribute public resources and appease certain castes ahead of the polls.
“The BJP is using Nitish Kumar as a mask to hold onto power. The expansion of the cabinet is not about governance but about the misuse of public funds and caste-based appeasement,” he claimed.
Also Read: Nitish to decide on son's entry into politics: Bihar min
‘Badlo Bihar’ Rally and Election Strategy
As part of his campaign strategy, Kishor announced the ‘Badlo Bihar’ rally, scheduled for April 11 in Patna. He asserted that the rally would see an unprecedented turnout and could set new records for public participation.
“We have formally requested the Patna district administration for permission to hold the rally on April 11. I am confident that the turnout will break all previous records. However, we anticipate that the ruling government, feeling threatened, may try to obstruct it by denying permission,” he said.
Kishor’s remarks come shortly after his recent arrest during a fast to demand the cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exams, further fueling his claims of political suppression.
Reaction to speculation about Nitish Kumar’s son
When asked about speculations surrounding Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, who has recently defended his father’s fitness and suitability for another term, Kishor dismissed the discussions as irrelevant.
“I do not wish to comment much on Nishant, as he is not active in public life. However, I challenge Nitish Kumar to name the ministers in his cabinet without referring to notes. If he can prove his mental sharpness by doing so, I will quit politics and work under his leadership,” Kishor stated.
With Bihar's assembly elections approaching, Prashant Kishor’s aggressive campaign against Nitish Kumar and JD(U) signals his intent to establish the Jan Suraaj Party as a major player.
His claims and challenges add to the growing political drama in Bihar, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in the coming months.
Also Read: CM Nitish expands Bihar cabinet, 7 BJP MLAs take oath
Follow us
