Prashant Kishor's big prediction for Bihar elections: 'BJP won't let Nitish Kumar ...'

Prashant Kishor (File)

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Thursday claimed that BJP will never let Nitish Kumar become the chief minister of Bihar again, adding that the JD(U) chief is in his final political innings.

Speaking to NDTV, the poll strategist-turned-politician took a series of potshots at Nitish Kumar and asserted that his days as chief minister are numbered.

Kishor said that even if the INDIA bloc, comprising RJD and Congress, returns to power in the state, Nitish Kumar will not be the chief minister.

He was alluding to the popular refrain in Bihar in recent years that Nitish Kumar will remain chief minister regardless of which alliance is in power — a reference to the JD(U) chief's many political U-turns.

"They messed up the Covid management. People are annoyed. Nitish Kumar is in his last political innings. BJP will never let Nitish Kumar become the Chief Minister again. And NDA will not form the next government in Bihar. Even if the INDIA bloc comes to power, Nitish Kumar would never be made the chief minister, so he is the chief minister of Bihar for only five months," Kishor told NDTV.

In January 2024, Nitish Kumar severed ties with Mahagathbandhan allies RJD and Congress and again joined hands with BJP.

Kishor, whose Jan Suraaj Party will contest the Bihar elections later this year, said he is ready to face former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav.

When asked if he will contest the elections himself, Kishor said he will definitely be on the ticket if the party decides and is ready to challenge Tejashwi from Raghopur constituency.

Kishor said that his party will contest the elections on issues such as corruption, migration and lack of governance.

Kishor, who is the former JD(U) vice president, has been unsparing in his verbal attacks on Nitish Kumar over the last few months.

Earlier, in an interview to The Indian Express, Kishor said that Nitish's "failing health" and his "leadership" would emerge as two of the biggest deciding factors in this election.

"The two main factors which will influence the Assembly polls include Nitish’s failing health and his leadership. The moment the NDA announces him as its CM face and he is not able to address the crowd, people may make up their mind to look beyond him," Kishor said when asked about what he sees as the biggest factors that could determine the outcome of these elections.