Bihar was Switzerland for Tejashwi Yadav when he was in power: Prashant Kishor

Poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Sunday took a jibe at RJD leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav over Bihar’s law and order and said.

The “state was like Switzerland for him” when Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) was in power. Speaking to reporters in Patna, Kishor asserted it was laughable that the latter was talking about the state’s development during RJD’s 15-year rule from 1990 to 2005.

“As far as crime is concerned, when Tejashwi Yadav was the Deputy Chief Minister six months ago, Bihar was Switzerland for him and after six months, Bihar has become a gutter. If today, Nitish Kumar joins Mahagathbandhan, Bihar will again start looking great to him,” he said.

“Comments can be made if Tejashwi Yadav speaks on caste, extortion, liquor mafia and crime. But if he discusses the development model, it is laughable. They have been in power for the last 15 years, he does not know what GDP and GDP growth are and is talking about the development story of Bihar,” he added.

Kishor’s remarks came after Yadav on August 22 hit out at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and alleged that the state had become a “demon’s rule” under his regime.

“Nitish Kumar also holds the home portfolio. It has become difficult for people to stay in their homes and the Chief Minister says everyone is safe. Bihar has become completely like a demon’s rule. No one listens to Nitish Kumar. Police officers get briberies,” Yadav said.

“Nitish Kumar has become the Bhishma Pitamah (a character in Mahabharat) of corruption. He cannot see crimes at all. Nitish Kumar has become helpless,” he added.

KISHOR’S JAN SURAAJ TO FIELD 40 WOMEN CANDIDATES IN 2025 POLLS
Meanwhile, Kishor stated that 40 of the 243 candidates will be fielded from Jan Suraaj, a party that he will launch on October 2, in the Bihar Assembly polls slated to be held in 2025.

He also said that 70 to 80 women will be made leaders from Jan Suraaj by 2030 and underlined that women’s economic independence is possible only through their equal participation.

“Jan Suraaj is fighting on 243 seats in 2025. At least 40 female candidates will be there. In 2030, at least 70-80 female candidates will be there. Until women become economically independent, they cannot get equality. Women should get loans of 4 per cent for earning their livelihood. It should be given on government guarantee,” Kishor stressed.

“When our government is formed, people will not have to migrate from Bihar for low income. I urge people to vote not just by seeing the leaders’ sons or daughters but by seeing their sons and daughters,” he further said.

The Assembly election in Bihar, which has 243 seats, is expected to be held in late 2025.