Prashant Kishore, leader of the Jan Suraaj Party, launched a sharp attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accusing him of being mentally and physically exhausted, unfit to lead the state, and unable to manage its governance effectively. His remarks came just ahead of the highly anticipated Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for later this year.
Kishore, speaking at a rally in Patna, stated that Nitish Kumar had reached a point where he was no longer capable of leading Bihar. “Nitish Kumar has become tired both mentally and physically,” Kishore declared. “He is no longer fit to lead Bihar. There are just eight to ten months left, let him enjoy the rest of his tenure,” he added.
This bold criticism from Kishore, a former aide to Nitish Kumar, comes at a crucial time as the state braces for its assembly elections. Kishore’s own political venture, the Jan Suraaj Party, is gearing up for its electoral debut. His statement is likely to intensify the political climate in the state, especially with Nitish Kumar’s leadership under scrutiny.
Kishore also challenged Kumar’s competence, particularly criticizing his handling of his cabinet. He daringly proposed a challenge, saying that if Nitish Kumar could name his ministers and their respective departments without reading from a paper, Kishore would abandon his own political movement and support the chief minister once again. “If Nitish Kumar can come on camera and tell me the names and departments of his council of ministers without looking at the paper, I will leave this movement and return to support him,” Kishore said.
The Jan Suraaj leader also raised concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar, attributing the worsening conditions to Nitish Kumar’s “mental instability.” Kishore argued that when a chief minister is mentally unstable, it naturally affects governance and law enforcement. “When the CM is not stable in his mind, it is natural for the law and order situation to deteriorate,” he asserted.
Kishore’s comments were made during a rally organized by his party at Patna’s Miller Ground to celebrate the 101st birth anniversary of Karpoori Thakur, a former Bihar chief minister and a prominent figure in the state’s political history. Kishore emphasized that his vision for Bihar, which aligns with the ideals of Karpoori Thakur, focuses on building an egalitarian society. He outlined key pillars for achieving this vision, including equality in access to jobs, education, land, and capital, as well as political participation.
While Kishore acknowledged the significance of Karpoori Thakur’s legacy, he made it clear that the celebration of Thakur’s birth anniversary was not about making political points but about reflecting on his principles of equality and justice.
Karpoori Thakur, a freedom fighter and two-term chief minister of Bihar, remains a beloved figure in the state. He passed away in 1988, and in 2024, the government posthumously awarded him the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, for his contributions to the nation.
Prashant Kishor’s outspoken comments regarding Nitish Kumar’s leadership and his ambitious political vision for Bihar set the stage for a more intense political battle in the lead-up to the state elections. The tension between Kishore and Kumar promises to be one of the key stories in Bihar’s upcoming electoral season.
