Published 09:56 IST, December 14th 2019
Prashant Kishor set to meet Nitish Kumar after slamming JD(U)'s support to Citizenship Act
A day after demanding Nitish Kumar to clarify his stance on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), JD(U) Vice-President Prashant Kishor will meet the Bihar CM
A day after demanding Nitish Kumar to clarify his stance on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), JD(U) Vice-President and poll strategist Prashant Kishor is set to meet the Bihar Chief Minister on Saturday, according to ANI. Kishor had previously condemned JD(U)'s support to the Bill terming the bill unconstitutional and discriminate. Stating Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh's stance against the Act, he added that all other CMs should clarify their stance alluding to Nitish Kumar.
Prashant Kishor to meet Nitish Kumar
JD(U) slams Kishor
Earlier on Friday, leader of JD(U) in Rajya Sabha RCP Singh slammed Kishor's stance against the bill stating that those against the party's stance can move on. "Who is unhappy at my party? Since how many days he is at the party and what has he done for the party, and where is he working now? Our party's stand on CAB is clear. Those who do not accept this can move ahead. Many people are not even aware of the citizenship amendment bill. First people should understand," he said.
Kishor's stance on CAB
Earlier on Thursday, Kishor had termed CAB and National Register of Citizens (NRC) - a "lethal combo" in the hands of the government to 'systematically discriminate and prosecute people based on religion.' Kishor has vocally opposed the bill since its introduction in the Parliament, a contrast to JD(U)'s the official stance on the issue. He even issued a Mahagathbandhan reminder to the JD(U), alluding that the JDU wouldn’t have so much leverage without its 2015 electoral performance. Bihar State Assembly goes to polls in 2020.
Rift in JDU
Kishor who is considered the key architect of the 2015 victory of the Mahagatbandhan in Bihar along with leaders like Pawan Varma, has been opposing the party's support to CAB. Earlier as well he had questioned Nitish Kumar's move to join hands with the BJP in 2017 from a public platform. Moreover, as Kishor is also working with Banerjee on her upcoming State Assembly polls in 2021, his opposition to NRC and CAB is seen by JD(U) as a calculated choice.
Updated 10:08 IST, December 14th 2019