'Physically tired and mentally unfit': Prashant Kishor's jibe at Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

NEW DELHI: Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor on Thursday urged voters to ensure that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s party, the JD(U), does not win any seats in the upcoming assembly elections. He described Kumar as "physically tired and mentally retired" and accused him of staying in power by frequently switching alliances.
Speaking to reporters in Patna, Kishor said Kumar had remained chief minister despite the JD(U) having only a small number of seats by shifting alliances. He recalled that Kumar broke ties with the BJP in 2013, later joined the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan in 2015, returned to the BJP in 2017, moved back to the RJD camp in 2022, and then rejoined the NDA last year.
"To break this cycle, and to ensure that the arrow (JD(U)'s poll symbol) does not float with the lotus (BJP) nor burn bright with the lantern (RJD), I appeal to the people that they vote in a manner that the JD(U) does not win even one seat. Only then would we be rid of the chief minister who is physically tired and mentally retired," Kishor said.

Moreover, Prashant Kishor, a former JD(U) national vice president, also criticized the BJP, saying it was using Nitish Kumar as a "mask" while holding power. He alleged that the recent cabinet expansion, just months before the elections, was aimed at misusing public money and appeasing certain castes.
"Swearing in 7 new ministers 6 months before the term of this government ends simply means that they want to loot the people before tenure of the government ends," Prashant Kishor said.
Claiming that the people were dissatisfied with both the ruling NDA and the RJD-led opposition, Kishor announced plans for a "Badlo Bihar Rally" on April 11. "We have written to the district administration in Patna, asking for permission to hold the rally on April 11. I wager that the turnout will break all records. Though we also foresee the possibility of the jittery in the ruling dispensation trying to pave hurdles by denying permission," he said.
Kishor was also asked about recent statements by the chief minister’s son, Nishant Kumar, who has insisted that his father is "100 per cent" fit and capable of serving another term. This has led to speculation about Nishant’s possible entry into politics.
Responding to this, Kishor said, "I do not want to say much about Nishant since he is not in public life. But I challenge his father to spell out the names of ministers in the state cabinet without looking at a piece of paper. If Nitish Kumar thus demonstrates his mental soundness, I would give up politics and start working for him."
Recently, Kishor was arrested while on a fast demanding the cancellation of the BPSC exams.