Prashant Kishor Attacks Nitish Kumar, Says 'Bihar Continues To Remain Poor'; Key Takeaways

Prashant Kishor also sneered at the chief minister for making ideological compromises to stay in an alliance with the BJP.

Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor on Tuesday came down heavily on Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. (ANI)

New Delhi: Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor on Tuesday came down heavily on Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. He questioned the state government's model of development saying that Bihar was the poorest state in 2005 and continues to be so. He also sneered at the chief minister for making ideological compromises to stay in an alliance with the BJP. Besides, the expelled Janata Dal-United Vice President and top election strategist also attacked Nitish Kumar by saying the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi and that of his killer, Nathuram Godse, cannot go hand-in-hand. On which the Janata Dal-United, has also hit back. Here are top key takeaways from Prashant Kishor's press conference in Patna, where he spoke out on his fallout with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar- • Kishor, who has been vocal about his opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), said Kumar needs to spell out whether he is with the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi or those who support Nathu Ram Godse. • Kishor said, "Nitish-ji has always said that he cannot leave the ideals of Gandhi, JP and Lohiya... At the same time, how can he be with the people who support the ideology of Godse. Both cannot go together. If you want to stay with the BJP, I don't have any problem with it but you cannot be on both sides." • The political strategist further said, "There has been a lot of discussion between me and Nitish-ji on this. He has his thought process and I have mine. There have been differences between him and me that the ideologies of Godse and Gandhi cannot stand together. As the leader of the party you have to say which side you are on." • He said that the ideological differences with Nitish Kumar first emerged during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "We had a standoff on two points. It's not new, it started during Lok Sabha elections," Kishor said. • Firing all guns at the Chief Minister, Kishor said: "You shall have to tell us who you choose." Watch | Nitish Kumar's statements don't define me: Prashant Kishor • In a direct assault on Kumar's model of governance, Kishor said Bihar was the poorest state in 2005 and continues to be so. "There has been development in Bihar during the last 15 years, but the pace has not been as it should have," he added. • The 43-year-old who recently got Arvind Kejriwal to win the Delhi Assembly polls, will be launching his "Baat Bihar Ki" campaign from February 20 to reach out to the people. "I am starting a program called 'Baat Bihar ki' from 20th February, to work towards making Bihar one of the 10 best states in the country," Kishor said. Watch | 'Baat Bihar Ki' to connect youth with politics, announces Prashant Kishor • He, however, did have a few good words for Nitish Kumar. He lauded the Bihar Chief Minister for launching the bi-cycle scheme to bring the girl students to schools. • On his expulsion, Kishor said, "Nitish Kumar saw me as a son and I always saw him as a father. It is Nitish Kumar's prerogative to take me into the party or expel me, I will always respect him." Kishor who was born in Bihar's Arrah district believe in the need for new leadership in his state. Kishor, along with senior JD-U leader Pavan Varma were expelled on January 29 for questioning the party's stand over the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). (with inputs from agencies)