Published 11:48 IST, February 18th 2020
Prashant Kishor announces 'Baat Bihar Ki'; slams CM Nitish Kumar's 'so-called' development
In a scathing attack on Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, former JDU leader and poll strategist Prashant Kishor revealed the reasons for his rift.
In a scathing attack on Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, former JDU leader and poll strategist Prashant Kishor asked why is he in alliance with the 'Godse supporters'. While he agreed that there has been development in the state under Nitish Kumar, he said that the rate has slowed down over the years. He blamed Nitish Kumar for comparing his developmental works with that of the times of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. He also added that Nitish Kumar is now taking orders from those in Gujarat.
Announcing a new campaign, he said that he will undertake an initiative called "Baat Bihar Ki" and form a political front of young people of Bihar. He also appealed Nitish Kumar to come together with him for the development of Bihar. He added that he will work towards making Bihar one of the 10 best states in the country.
"I met Nitish ji in November 2014 and he has treated me as his son. Whatever decision he has taken, be it his induction in the party or expulsion from the party. It is his prerogative. I want to clarify that there are two reasons for Nitish and my rift. He has maintained that we cannot leave Gandhi, JP, Lohia, but how are you standing with Godse supporters. Secondly, I have a problem with JDU's positioning in the NDA. There is a huge difference between Nitish of 2014 with 2MPs and Nitish who is being directed by Gujarat leaders."
He added: "My point is there development in Bihar? If a compromise cannot lead to development then why is it not benefitting the people of Bihar? I am not against alliance but alliance only to be at the CM post? I don't think we need to be with BJP to win in Bihar. In 15 years, there has been development in Bihar, there is no doubt about it, but now the speed has deteriorated."
Prashant Kishor and Bihar
Kishor was inducted as the vice president of Kumar led- JDU in September 2018. Nitish Kumar had said that he was inducted in the party on the advice of then BJP chief Amit Shah. However, Kishor was reportedly snubbed by the Modi-Shah duo after the 2014 general elections. While Kishor helped JDU in the Lok Sabha polls, completely decimating Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD, he had also worked for Mahagathbandhan in 2015. Even as he held the post of JDU VP, his team IPAC worked for Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, Uddhav Thackeray in Maharashtra. He was then roped in by Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal and Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi, MK Stalin in Tamil Nadu.
After the Central government passed the contentious citizenship amendment act in December, Kishor openly spoke against the BJP. He not only questioned the former BJP chief Amit Shah but went on submit his resignation, which sources said was rejected by Nitish Kumar. However, after warning Kishor for his anti-party statements, Kumar finally expelled him from the party. On Tuesday, with the victory of AAP in the Delhi polls, Kishor has added another feather to his victory feat as a poll strategist.
Updated 12:56 IST, February 18th 2020