Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor is once again embroiled in a controversy over a ‘vanity van’ parked close to Patna’s Gandhi Maidan. Prashant Kishor is on a fast-unto-death over BPSC question paper leak allegations.
When asked by reporters about the presence of the van, he said: “I am on a fast here. If I go home to relieve myself, then journalists will ask questions whether I went to have food or take a nap… Some people said the vanity van is worth Rs 2 crore and the rent for the same is Rs 25 lakh per day.“I want to convey this through mediapersons… let this van be taken away and in return, give me Rs 25 lakh per day and provide an alternate space that can be used as washroom.”
Asked further about the purpose of the vehicle, the 47-year-old former political strategist wondered if the question of “where we relieve ourselves is more important than the future of BPSC aspirants”.“Will you be able to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar about the amenities they enjoy?” Kishor said.The Jan Suraaj Party founder has demanded cancellation of the 70th Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) held on December 13, following allegations of question paper leak.
On the controversy over his vanity van, Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor further said, "It is not new for the opposition parties to criticise me.I have come here in support of the students. Anyone can come and lead, whether it is Rahul Gandhi or Tejashwi Yadav"
The vehicle, reportedly with many luxury facilities, is parked a few hundred metres from the site at the historic Gandhi Maidan, where Kishor launched his ‘aamaran anshan’ on Thursday evening.
Protests over BPSC exam
The 47-year-old former poll strategist, who hopes his fledgling party to make a big impact in assembly polls due in less than a year, also made it clear that the demands he is making were just a few of the things on which he expected the government to act.
Striking a populist note, the former JD(U) vice-president said he wanted the state's NDA government to "bring in a domicile policy, reserving two thirds of government vacancies for candidates from the state". He added, "The injustice done to the state's youth by the current regime goes long back. Before his ascent to power, the chief minister (Nitish Kumar) had toured the state and promised unemployment doles. Not a single person has got the benefit even after 20 years. The government must start giving unemployment allowance".
Kishor also demanded a white paper on several competitive exams held in the last 10 years which were marred by question paper leaks and claimed that the government demonstrated its inability to crack down on the education mafia suspected to be behind the malpractices.
The Jan Suraaj leader's aggressive stance comes in the wake of scorn heaped on him by political both ruling and opposition leaders in the state, after a demonstration he staged on Sunday ended in lathi charge and use of water cannons by police.
Notably, more than five lakh candidates had appeared for the Combined Competitive Exams held on December 13 when hundreds of candidates, all at Bapu Pariksha Parisar here, boycotted the test alleging that question papers were leaked.
With Agency Inputs
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