Nitish Kumar(L), Prashant Kishor
Credit: PTI Photos
Patna: Poll strategist-turned-politician and founder of Jan Suraaj, Prashant Kishor on Tuesday apologised to the people of Bihar for the poll debacle his party suffered but reiterated that he would neither retire from the active politics nor leave the state.
“I failed to read Bihar properly unlike Nitish Kumar and BJP’s Samrat Choudhary, who divided people on caste and religious lines and bought votes using public money,” said Prashant, adding that “It’s true that I did not get votes. But at least I did not indulge in corruption or divisive politics to get votes”.
He lashed out at the NDA government for doling out Rs 10,000 each to 1.5 crore women on poll-eve and a promise of Rs 2 lakh additional financial assistance under Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojna for self-employment initiatives for women.
“Had it not been a dole of Rs 10,000 each to 1.5 crore women, Nitish would not have won more than 25 seats,” said PK, as Prashant is fondly known. He dismissed speculations that as promised he would quit politics “if Nitish gets more than 25 seats”.
“What post am I holding that I need to resign,” asked PK during the press meet in Patna where he said he would observe a one-day fast on November 20 at Champaran as repentance.
“We will analyse our mistakes, rectify the faults and work harder for a better Bihar by raising the issue of jobs and migration,” said PK, adding that the landslide verdict in favour of the NDA has now put more responsibility on Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi.
“It’s time they fulfil the promises made. They must now give Rs 2 lakh to women as promised. If they don’t, we will take up the cudgels on behalf of women and fight their issue till they get their due,” said Prashant.
The Jan Suraaj founder did not agree that the one-sided result in Bihar was primarily due to ‘vote-chori’. “Vote theft is an issue which has been going on at the national level. The Opposition parties should deliberate on the issue and move the court to get justice,” he suggested.