Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has asserted that the Janata Dal (United) and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar might shift allegiances following the Assembly elections in the state after collaborating with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The reason? To secure another term as the chief minister, Kishor suggested.
The founder of the Jan Suraaj Party also vowed to abandon his political endeavors if proven incorrect. “Anyone could rise to the position of chief minister in November, once the assembly elections conclude, except for Nitish Kumar. You can take my word for it. If I am proven wrong, I will step away from my political campaign entirely,” he stated.
During a press conference in West Champaran district, Prashant Kishor argued that Nitish Kumar has become too unpopular to secure a fifth consecutive term in office, regardless of which alliance he aligns with.
Kishor further contended that the BJP is hesitant to name Nitish Kumar as the chief ministerial candidate for the NDA due to his waning popularity.
Responding to speculation about Nitish Kumar possibly leaving the NDA ahead of the Assembly polls considering the BJP’s reluctance, the former election strategist insisted, “He will contest alongside the BJP.”
“I challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to confirm that Nitish Kumar will serve a full five-year term as chief minister after the elections if the NDA is victorious. If they do so, then…” Prashant Kishor remarked.
Kishor predicted, “Nitish Kumar may consider switching parties once he realizes that the BJP is not planning to support him for another term. However, the number of seats attained by JD(U) will be so low that he will not secure the top position, no matter which coalition he joins.”
Nitish Kumar ‘mentally exhausted’: Prashant Kishor
The 47-year-old politician claimed that the septuagenarian CM is “mentally fatigued,” asserting, “It’s not me, but the late BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi who stated that Nitish Kumar suffers from a significant mental health issue. I have long challenged him to name his cabinet ministers without referring to any notes. He can’t identify the district he is visiting unless prompted by officials. It’s regrettable that someone in such a state of mind is overseeing Bihar.”
