BJP Accused of Forcing Jan Suraaj Candidates to Withdraw from Bihar Elections: Prashant Kishor Alleges Intimidation

Prashant Kishor has leveled accusations against the BJP, claiming they are intimidating Jan Suraaj Party candidates ahead of the Bihar election. The poll strategist-turned-politician revealed today that three candidates from his party were coerced into withdrawing their nominations under pressure.

Speaking from Patna, Kishor stated he would bring this matter to the Election Commission's attention. "The BJP has cultivated an image in recent years suggesting they form governments regardless of election outcomes. Look at the condition of the party that dismissed Jan Suraaj as a mere vote-cutter without identity. With polling now underway, the NDA is clearly terrified," he asserted.

"Their fear isn't of the Mahagathbandhan, which they use to frighten voters. They warn people that failing to vote for them will result in Lalu Yadav's 'Jungle Raj' returning. This time, people have Jan Suraaj as a new alternative. Jan Suraaj offers escape from 30 years of political subjugation that forces people to vote for BJP and Nitish Kumar out of fear of Lalu, or for Lalu out of fear of the BJP," Kishor explained.

Kishor identified three Jan Suraaj candidates who were allegedly forced to withdraw: Mutur Shah from Danapur, Satya Prakash Tiwari from Brahampur, and Shashi Shekhar Sinha from Gopalganj.

Regarding Danapur, Kishor noted that the Mahagathbandhan candidate has a reputation as a bahubali (political strongman). "The BJP typically scares voters by saying 'vote for us, or he'll make your life miserable.' This time, Danapur residents have decided against voting for BJP out of fear," he stated.

He explained that Mutur Shah had accepted the Jan Suraaj symbol but never reached the election office. While BJP leaders claimed supporters of RJD's Ritlal Yadav had abducted Shah, Kishor displayed a photograph showing Shah with Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

"This exemplifies BJP's character. Consider an ordinary trader entering politics—when the Home Minister calls him, what options does he have?" Kishor questioned.

In Brahampur, where Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) fielded strongman Hulas Pandey, Kishor said Jan Suraaj's candidate Satya Prakash Tiwari campaigned for three days before withdrawing his nomination. Kishor displayed another photograph showing Tiwari with Union Minister Pradhan. "Bihar needs to know if Jan Suraaj's leaders are abandoning ship or if democracy is being murdered. Candidates are facing open threats," he declared.

Regarding Gopalganj, Kishor described how Jan Suraaj's candidate Shashi Sekhar Sinha, a regular attendee at party meetings, was campaigning until 8 pm before being approached by BJP leadership. "After 11 pm, a BJP MLC and other prominent leaders met him and pressured him to withdraw," claimed Kishor, showing a photograph of Sinha with BJP leaders.

"Jan Suraaj's 240 warriors remain in the electoral arena and won't rest until they uproot the NDA. Everything will become clear on November 14 (counting day). Prashant Kishor and his Jan Suraaj associates won't be intimidated—no matter how many candidates you buy, threaten, or confine, we will contest strongly," he affirmed.

Kishor argued that the NDA doesn't fear Mahagathbandhan because they know the opposition includes "bahubalis and sand mafia," allowing them to frighten voters with warnings about "jungle raj." "But they fear good people—doctors, traders, educators, and social workers," he added.

Adapting Salman Khan's famous Dabangg dialogue, Kishor remarked, "These people don't fear goons as candidates; they fear good people. That's the Jan Suraaj effect. We've fielded quality candidates who aren't traditional politicians. Their families face pressure to make them withdraw nominations."

"If candidates aren't safe, how can voters be?" Kishor asked, urging electoral authorities to intervene. "Jan Suraaj's warriors won't back down. Bihar will change."

In his NDTV interview, Kishor questioned, "Have you ever witnessed the country's Home Minister and Education Minister pressuring rival party's candidates to withdraw nominations?" He confirmed Jan Suraaj would file a complaint with the Election Commission but added skeptically, "What will the Election Commission do? It will follow the government's directives."

In response, BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy suggested Kishor should have contested elections himself before commenting on Bihar. "I am very shocked because outsiders always claim a great leader has emerged... To understand Bihar, he should have contested at least one election before commenting," the BJP MP stated.