Prashant Kishor Targets Small Bihar Parties For Personal Interests In Upcoming Polls

Patna, July 19 (TNA) Poll strategist Prashant Kishor criticized small political parties in Bihar, alleging that they prioritize personal interests over making a difference in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Kishor's veiled attack targeted parties led by Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Upendra Kushwaha, claiming they are primarily concerned with gaining a seat or two. He emphasized that these parties will align themselves with whoever offers them seats.

These three parties are part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and the BJP leadership has initiated talks on seat-sharing with them, including the Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD) led by Upendra Kushwaha, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) led by Chirag Paswan, and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) led by Jitan Ram Manjhi.

Kishor highlighted that when the BJP has formed alliances with smaller parties in the past, they have had a significant impact in the state. In the 2014 elections, the BJP allied with the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) led by Upendra Kushwaha and the LJP led by late Ram Vilas Paswan, resulting in unprecedented victories.

Kishor stated that Jitan Ram Manjhi would align with either the BJP or the Grand Alliance based on receiving a single seat, while Upendra Kushwaha would go with whoever offers him two seats. The faction within the LJP makes it unclear which direction they will go.

Regarding the ongoing Opposition meetings, Kishor expressed his lack of concern, stating that unless there is a clear narrative and ground-level impact, these gatherings will not affect the masses. He cited historical examples such as the defeat of Indira Gandhi in 1977 and Rajiv Gandhi in 1989, where specific issues and movements played crucial roles.

Meanwhile, Bihar BJP State President Samrat Choudhary mocked posters targeting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Bengaluru, highlighting that Kumar had been humiliated in a state governed by the Congress party.