“People who looked at Nitish Kumar as challenger to PM Narendra Modi would find the decision wrong but people who used to think he was compromising on governance only for the sake of defeating PM Modi would have found the decision correct… it depends on which side of the part you sit”, Kishor had said in an interview while, adding, “I think when he (Nitish Kumar) changed sides he should have ideally sought fresh mandate.”
Above remarks of Janata Dal United vice president and Nitish Kumar’s confidant, Prashant Kishor has created a tormenting atmosphere in Bihar’s ruling party. Many leaders seem to miffed up with Kishor on recent statement made in public on party affairs and its ride to power.
The poll strategist-turned politician Prashant Kishor has come under heavy attack from his own camp.
Mixed bag of reactions on Prashant Kishor’s remark- JDU MLC and spokesperson Neeraj Kumar pin pointed Kishor’s fallacies on Nitish’s decision seeking a fresh mandate after ending tie up with the Mahagathbandhan.
While speaking to Newsd Neeraj Kumar said, “We came to power with mandate to fulfill Seven Commitment (Saat Nischay) and zero tolerance to corruption then how can he question our mandate? During conversation he emphasized on himself (using the word I) which reflected his over-confidence.”
Our party makes an MP, MLA and a political worker but he claimed that he can make someone an MP or MLA, said JDU spokesperson.
Adding further he said, “I would like to remind him (Prashant Kishor) that he is not a freelancer in politics. Presently he is JDU’s vice president and he is bound to follow party’s policy.” He ended up posing a question to Kishor that being vice president, how did he contradict party’s national president’s (Nitish Kumar) decision?
JDU Rajya Sabha member and general secretary RCP Singh also been a close confidante of Nitish Kumar said, “When we walked out of the Mahagathbandhan, he (Prashant Kishor) was not even in the party.”
On other side of the fence, state’s main opposition party Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patted on Prashant Kishor’s remarks. Talking to Newsd, RJD MLA and spokesperson Bhai Virendra said, “Words of JDU VP is tantamount to admitting what we have been alleging Nitish Kumar’s decision to backstab people’s mandate. Finally Prashant Kishor has spelled out the truth for which Nitish Kumar and party will have to suffer.”
RJD questions Nitish’s silence over Giriraj Singh
Unfolding anger within JDU against its Vice-President- Its high time for Bihar’s ruling and opposition benches to fasten belt and stand on election plank of 2019 general elections. But Nitish Kumar’s JDU is facing an inner party clout among its leaders which is a new twist after India’s best known savvy power consultant turned politician questioned Nitish Kumar’s decision to quit Mahagathbandhan.
Primary reason behind resentment against Kishor is his rise to second in rank of the JDU despite not being a fulltime political worker. His entry into politics and succession has deeply annoyed many veteran leaders of the party. His less political more policy inclined attitude is seen overlapping the traditional political guards of the JDU. They might have anticipated him to become an influential parallel centre equal to Nitish.
Secondly, the skipping of formal receiving of slain CRPF jawan, Pintu Singh by NDA leaders including Chief Minister was contradicted by Prashant Kishor’s apology via tweet. This also did not to go well within party rank.
Little of what Kishor had hoped to achieve within the JDU was about to come i.e. strengthening JDU’s organization by adding new young faces from all sections of political sphere. In midst of internal restructuring, during a public meeting in Muzaffarpur he declared- If I can help someone become Prime Minister and Chief Minister, I can also help Bihar’s youth become MPs and MLAs raged anger within the JDU.
Nitish Kumar asked forgiveness from Lalu minutes before quitting
And lastly Kishor’s interview to a web portal had upset his party members.
Resentment does exists within the JDU against its vice president is a universal truth. ‘All is Well’ between Nitish Kumar and Prashant Kishor, remains slightly an intrigued part. Leaders unhappiness with JDU vice president’s open advice to his Chief has certainly given a chance to the opposition to use this proposition all through the election battle against ruling parties.
