Nitish Kumar May Be Honest But His Ministers Looting State: Prashant Kishor

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor has claimed that while Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar might be honest, his cabinet ministers and officials are siphoning crores from the state's citizens.

The former political strategist made these comments as part of a series of criticisms against leaders of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the lead-up to upcoming assembly elections.

"I don't engage in politics that targets individuals or makes baseless allegations. I've traveled throughout Bihar for the past three years. Our party avoids the cycle of accusations and counter-accusations. The ground reality in Bihar is that citizens report unprecedented levels of corruption," Kishor stated during the conversation.

"This corruption clearly flows from the top. While Nitish Kumar himself may be honest, his ministers and officers are extracting crores from ordinary people," he added.

Recently, Kishor has directed criticism at Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary regarding his D-Litt degree and at Janata Dal (United) national general secretary and state minister Ashok Choudhary for allegedly participating in corrupt activities and acquiring land worth Rs 200 crore over the last three years through "questionable and illegal" methods.

JD(U) is a partner of the BJP in Bihar under the NDA coalition.

"Ashok Choudhary is publicly acquiring Rs 200 crore property with no accountability. Naturally, the public will express concerns," Kishor remarked.

Previously, Kishor alleged that Ashok Choudhary purchased land in the name of his daughter, a Lok Sabha MP, and his wife. He claimed evidence shows money was channeled through Mrs. Choudhary's accounts to a Patna-based trust connected to their daughter's in-laws. According to Kishor, this fund routing began immediately following his daughter's engagement.

Criticizing the Deputy Chief Minister, the former strategist said: "Samrat Choudhary serves as Deputy Chief Minister despite facing murder allegations and spending time in prison. We simply ask when he passed his Class 10 exam. Wouldn't a job applicant in Bihar need to show their Class 10 certificate? If you lack education, just admit it. You claim to have a PhD but haven't even completed board exams. How could you have pursued graduation and doctoral studies?"

Kishor had previously alleged that the Deputy Chief Minister, a legislative council member, falsely claimed in his affidavit to possess a D.Litt degree.

When questioned if these allegations were politically motivated, Kishor responded: "These are public interest matters that citizens have a right to know about. Officials have a responsibility to answer. This isn't about political advantage."

Kishor also challenged BJP MP from West Champaran Sanjay Jaiswal, saying: "He declared his ultimate goal was to imprison me. Yet here I stand. If you have the courage, arrest me. Your party controls the government both in Delhi and Bihar."

He expressed confidence in public support for his party: "Our party will announce all 233 candidates before other parties do."

Regarding which party he might support in a hung assembly scenario, Kishor confidently stated: "There won't be a hung assembly. The Jan Suraaj Party will form the government in Bihar."

Neither the BJP nor JD(U) has immediately responded to Kishor's statements. However, on Saturday, the BJP characterized the Jan Suraaj party as "a political startup based on fraud" and accused Kishor of raising "hundreds of crores of rupees" through "shell companies".