Anurag Thakur on Prashant Kishor's decision not to contest Bihar election: 'General fled before battle'

Anurag Thakur

Former Union minister and BJP MP Anurag Thakur took a dig at Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor's decision not to contest the upcoming election.

Referring to Kishor as the "general" who fled before the battle, Thakur told NDTV. "The general has fled. What will happen to the Army?”

Kishor recently  told news agency PTI that he would not contest the polls, and would instead focus on his party's organisational work. He predicted a certain defeat for the ruling NDA in Bihar, and added that the Nitish Kumar-led JDU will struggle to win even 25 seats.

Earlier, the BJP said Kishor decided not to contest because the "businessman and a former election campaigner" in him has realised that the situation is not in his favour. "Prashant Kishor is a very smart businessman and he has also had a lot of experience in running election campaigns. Perhaps, the businessman and former election campaigner in him has realised that the real situation on the ground is not favourable for him or his party and that if he loses this election, then his business enterprise will have no takers in the future." BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla said.

While speaking to reporters, Thaur also said there is conflict within the Mahagathbandhan. “Slogans are also being raised against Lalu Prasad Yadav... Look at the NDA candidates; many young candidates have been given a chance so that the NDA government can be formed for the youth of Bihar. On the other hand, the people of Jungle Raj have given tickets to the sons of strongmen and goons... Is Lalu Prasad Yadav thinking of bringing back Jungle Raj in Bihar? The people of Bihar will never accept this. The people of Bihar want to connect with development,” he said.