"People Accused By Prashant Kishor Should...": Bihar BJP Leader's Advice

New Delhi:

In the lead-up to the Bihar election, senior BJP figure and former union minister RK Singh has raised questions about his party colleagues, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and state unit president Dilip Jaiswal, regarding corruption allegations made by election strategist and Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor.

In an exclusive NDTV interview, Mr. Singh called for both Mr. Chaudhary and Mr. Jaiswal to "come before the public and provide evidence of their innocence." He further insisted that neither his party nor their ally, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United, should grant electoral tickets to those facing such accusations from either party.

"Those individuals accused by Prashant Kishor should step forward and respond. They must provide clarification... their failure to do so is damaging the entire party's reputation."

"This is my position... now he claims Samrat Chaudhary failed Class 7. Therefore, Mr. Chaudhary should come forward and deny this. He should display his matriculation certificate. Explain to us..."

"It's reported you changed your name multiple times... so explain why. What was the reason for these changes? As Deputy Chief Minister and a BJP leader, you should offer clarification. What's preventing you?"

"Otherwise, it harms the party. Similarly with Dilip Jaiswal... he allegedly faces murder accusations."

RK Singh's criticism followed Prashant Kishor's declaration that ministers and senior officials from both BJP and JDU were "plundering" the state. "While Nitish Kumar himself may be honest, his ministers and officers are extracting crores from citizens," he stated during an NDTV interview.

READ | Nitish Kumar May Be Honest But His Ministers Looting State: P Kishor

"Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary specializes in identity changes... he was formerly Rakesh Kumar before becoming Samrat Choudhary. But that's not the complete story. His original identity was Samrat Kumar Maurya, and he faced murder allegations," Mr. Kishor asserted.

Challenging his educational credentials, Kishor added that Bihar's school board had informed the Supreme Court that 'Samrat Kumar Maurya' had not passed his matriculation examination.

Beyond Samrat Chaudhary and Dilip Jaiswal, Kishor also implicated JDU National General Secretary Ashok Choudhary regarding the acquisition of property reportedly valued at Rs 200 crore.

He also directed allegations at Health Minister Mangal Pandey, claiming Rs 2.12 crore was deposited into his wife's banking account between 2019-2020, with no explanation provided by the minister.

"Pandey claimed he borrowed Rs 25 lakh from his father for a Delhi flat purchase. If accurate, how did Rs 2.12 crore enter his wife's account? If legitimate, why wasn't this money declared?"

The following day, JDU issued a measured response, separating itself from controversy while maintaining unity and protecting Nitish Kumar. The party avoided specifically naming Ashok Choudhary but emphasized its 'zero-corruption' stance and Nitish Kumar's unblemished record.

"Party credibility and leadership image represent invaluable assets... Bihar has witnessed Nitish Kumar's principled character, his anti-corruption campaign, and his efforts to maintain administrative integrity. The party's reputation and his personal standing constitute priceless assets for everyone involved."

A campaign strategist with a remarkable track record of high-profile victories, including assisting Nitish Kumar (then with the opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance) in securing the 2015 Assembly election, Prashant Kishor is now contesting this election with his own party, Jan Suraaj. He expressed confidence about a successful debut, telling NDTV, "The Jan Suraaj Party is coming to power in Bihar."