‘You Laugh At Biharis’: Prashant Kishor Questions Rahul, Also Takes Potshots At Nitish, Tejashwi
Prashant Kishor criticised Tejashwi Yadav's political inheritance, Nitish Kumar's waning influence, and Rahul Gandhi's disconnect from Bihar.
Prashant Kishor attacked RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Nitish Kumar and Rahul Gandhi. Speaking to news agency ANI, Kishor questioned the political credentials of Tejashwi and claimed that he owes his position entirely to his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav.
"Tejashwi Yadav is Lalu Yadav's son. Whatever Tejashwi is, it's because of Lalu Yadav. If Lalu Yadav's name is not there, what is his identity for you?" he asked, taking a dig at Tejashwi.Kishor argued that Tejashwi's position is solely due to his lineage, not his achievements or merit. He pointed out that there are many youth leaders in the Yadav Samaj who have more potential than Tejashwi.
"You said Tejashwi Yadav is a youth leader. There are a lot of youth leaders. Yadav Samaj has a lot more youth leaders than him. But the foundation on which he is now is not there because he has achieved something. He's in position only because he's Lalu Yadav's son."
Targeting Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, the Jan Suraaj founder said that even top officials like police officers, doctors, teachers, and bankers are not listening to Kumar. His criticism comes ahead of the Bihar elections, expected to be held in October or November this year.
He also lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi ahead of the forthcoming Assembly polls and questioned his commitment to Bihar, accusing him of token gestures rather than genuine political engagement.
In an interview with ANI, Kishor, who has been tirelessly walking through Bihar's hinterlands as part of his ambitious outreach, challenged Rahul Gandhi to spend even one night in a Bihar village to prove his connection to the state's grassroots.
"Rahul ji keeps coming and going here, but doesn't really undertake any Yatra. If Rahul Gandhi has ever spent even one night in a village in Bihar, let us know. If he can spend just one night in a village, we'll accept it," he said.
"Tum Delhi mein bethkar Bihariyo ke naam par haste ho aur yaha bethkar gyan dete ho (You sit in Delhi, laugh at Biharis then come here to lecture us)" Kishor said.
On being asked how many seats Congress will secure in the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, Kishor said that it will depend upon "Lalu ji's charity."
"Congress has no real existence in Bihar. For the past 25-30 years, it's been a party that just carries Lalu ji's bag. If Rahul Gandhi truly has political strength, let him contest elections in Bihar on his own. Try demanding 40% of the seats from Lalu ji and see what happens. In Bihar, Congress dances to Lalu ji's tune. Whatever he decides, that's what happens," he said.
Bihar elections are expected to be held later this year in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet announced the dates.While the NDA, consisting of the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will once again be looking to continue their stint in Bihar, the INDIA bloc, consisting of the RJD, Congress, and left parties, will be looking to unseat Nitish Kumar.
Prashant Kishor has presented his party, Jan Suraaj as another alternative in the state.
In the current Bihar Assembly of 243 members, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) consists of 131 with the BJP having 80 MLAs, JD(U)-45, HAM(S)-4, with the support of 2 Independent candidates.
(With inputs from ANI.)
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