‘Bihar Was Switzerland For Tejashwi Yadav...’: Prashant Kishor Says RJD Leader Discussing Development Is Laughable

Jan Suraaj Party founder and chief Prashant Kishor on Sunday took a jibe at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav over Bihar’s development saying that “state was like Switzerland for him” when Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) was in power. He further said the RJD leader discussing development model is laughable.

While speaking to the reporters, the election strategist-turned-politician said that the politician, whose party was in rule for 15 years (1990-2005) in Bihar doesn’t know what GDP and growth rates are.

“Comments can be made if Tejashwi Yadav speaks on caste, extortion, liquor mafia, crime… but if Tejashwi Yadav discusses development model, it is laughable. They have been in power for the last 15 years, he does not know what GDP and GDP growth are, and is talking about the development story of Bihar. As far as crime is concerned, when Tejwashwi Yadav was the Deputy CM six months ago, Bihar was Switzerland for him and after six months Bihar has become a gutter…If today Nitish Kumar joins Mahagathbandhan, Bihar will again start looking great to him…” news agency ANI quoted Kishor as saying.

Tejashwi Yadav Slams Bihar Government

His remarks came a days after former Bihar deputy chief minister Yadav slammed the Nitish Kumar-led state government saying that Bihar has been lagging in key development indicators despite having a “double-engine” government.

He alleged that the state had become a “demon’s rule” under his regime.

“Nitish Kumar also holds the home portfolio. It has become difficult for people to stay in their homes and the Chief Minister says everyone is safe. Bihar has become completely like a demon’s rule. No one listens to Nitish Kumar. Police officers get briberies,” Yadav had said.

Prashant Kishor on Caste census

Expressing views on the caste census, Kishor stepped up his attacks on Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and said that there is no panacea when he says conducting caste census can remove poverty and questioned that his (Congress) party was in rule for the last 60 years but why they didn’t conduct caste-census.

Kishor advised Rahul Gandhi to conduct a caste census in Congress-ruling states like Karnataka, Telangana, to eradicate poverty and said if it gets successful then other states would follow the same model.

Jan Suraaj party to contest Bihar polls on all 243 seats

Kishor conveyed that the party will contest the upcoming Bihar legislative assembly election on all 243 seats out of which there will be 40 women candidates from the party to be formed.

Elaborating on his party’s plans, Kishor stated, “In 2025, Jan Suraaj will contest on 243 seats, and at least 40 women candidates will be nominated. We have also pledged that by 2030, 70-80 women leaders will emerge from our party.”

Last week, Kishor announced that Jan Suraaj is likely to contest the upcoming Assembly by-elections in the Bela Ganj and Imam Ganj constituencies of Gaya district.

“If the by-polls are held after October 2, Jan Suraaj will officially contest the elections. However, if the by-polls occur before October 2, we would select suitable candidates from within Jan Suraaj, who would then contest the elections as independent candidates,” he had said.

On July 28, Kishor said that he would launch a new political party on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. The election strategist also informed that he would not lead the party instead the leaders would be elected from their respective assembly constituencies.

Kishore further exuded confidence of winning the assembly elections in Bihar in 2025.

(With inputs from agencies)