Bettiah, Bihar: Political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has made bold predictions about Bihar’s upcoming assembly elections, asserting that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will contest in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but may attempt another political flip-flop afterward. Kishor, the founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, believes that despite Kumar's strategic maneuvering, his chances of securing another term as chief minister are slim.

Nitish Kumar’s Political Future: A Question of Alliances

Addressing a press conference in West Champaran, Kishor confidently stated that the 74-year-old JD(U) leader has lost his popular support and will struggle to return as chief minister, regardless of the coalition he joins.

"Anybody can become the chief minister in November after the assembly elections—except Nitish Kumar. You can take it in writing. If I am proven wrong, I will give up my own political campaign," Kishor said, making a strong commitment to his prediction.

Speculation has been rife that Nitish Kumar could exit the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) before the elections if the BJP refuses to officially declare him as its chief ministerial candidate. However, Kishor dismissed this theory, asserting that Kumar will remain with the BJP for the election.

"He has always contested with the BJP, except in 2015, when I was handling his campaign," he reminded the media.

BJP’s Reluctance to Endorse Nitish Kumar

Kishor also highlighted BJP’s hesitation in projecting Nitish Kumar as the NDA’s chief ministerial candidate, suggesting it stemmed from his dwindling popularity.

"I challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to declare that Nitish Kumar will be CM for a full five-year term if the NDA wins. If they do so, the BJP will struggle to win seats," he asserted.

Once a close aide of Nitish Kumar, Kishor was expelled from JD(U) in 2020 following disagreements with the CM. Now a vocal critic, he predicts that JD(U) will perform poorly in the upcoming elections, making it nearly impossible for Kumar to retain power.

"Nitish Kumar may try switching sides again if he realizes BJP will not back him for another term. But JD(U)'s seat tally will be so low that he won’t get the top job, no matter which alliance he joins," Kishor claimed.

‘Physically Tired, Mentally Retired’: Kishor’s Critique of Nitish Kumar

Kishor did not hold back in his criticism of the Bihar CM, alleging that Kumar is no longer fit to govern effectively.

"Not me, but late BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi once said that Nitish Kumar suffers from a serious mental illness. I challenge him to name his own cabinet ministers without looking at a piece of paper. He cannot even recall which district he is visiting without officials prompting him," he said.

Kishor also mocked Kumar for what he called an act of sycophancy—touching PM Modi’s feet publicly during the swearing-in of the new Union government last year.

"If he has such deep respect for the PM, he could have done it in private. But he is resorting to flattery just to stay in power," Kishor remarked, adding that instead of appeasing BJP leaders, Kumar should focus on reviving Bihar’s sugar industry, which has been in decline for years.

Jan Suraaj Party’s Mission: Breaking Bihar’s Political Deadlock

Prashant Kishor positioned his Jan Suraaj Party as an alternative to Bihar’s traditional power struggle between Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav.

"Bihar has been stuck in a political rut for decades, held hostage by Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad. My party aims to pull the state out of this stagnation," he declared.

According to Kishor, both the BJP and the Congress share responsibility for Bihar’s poor governance, as they have supported different ruling coalitions that failed to bring real change to the state.

Liquor Ban: A Symbol of BJP’s Duplicity?

Kishor also took a jab at Bihar’s liquor prohibition policy, calling it an example of the BJP’s double standards.

"If prohibition is such a great policy, why doesn’t the BJP ask Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh and other BJP-ruled states to implement it? In those states, they talk about economic growth and investments, while in Bihar, they think people should be satisfied with five kg of free ration and 'sharaab-bandi' (liquor ban)," he argued.

Conclusion

Prashant Kishor’s remarks have intensified political debates in Bihar, as the state gears up for a crucial election. His predictions about Nitish Kumar’s future, BJP’s hesitations, and the failures of past governments have set the stage for a high-stakes political battle. Whether his claims hold true remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Bihar’s political landscape is in for some major shifts.

1. What did Prashant Kishor say about Nitish Kumar’s chances in the upcoming Bihar elections?
Kishor predicted that Nitish Kumar will contest the elections with the BJP but will not return as chief minister, regardless of the alliance he joins.

2. Why does Prashant Kishor believe the BJP is hesitant to endorse Nitish Kumar as CM?
He claims that Nitish Kumar’s declining popularity makes it risky for the BJP to project him as the chief ministerial candidate.

3. What allegations did Kishor make about Nitish Kumar’s leadership?
Kishor suggested that Nitish Kumar is no longer mentally or physically fit to govern, citing his forgetfulness and dependency on officials for basic information.

4. How does Prashant Kishor view Bihar’s liquor ban?
He criticized the prohibition policy as an example of the BJP’s hypocrisy, pointing out that similar bans are not enforced in other BJP-ruled states.

5. What is Kishor’s goal with the Jan Suraaj Party?
He aims to offer an alternative to Bihar’s traditional politics, which he believes has been stuck in a cycle dominated by Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav.