Prashant Kishor attacks Nitish Kumar, announces Baat Bihar Ki campaign months ahead of state elections

Prashant Kishor, the political strategist who was expelled from the Janata Dal (United) by party chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, questioned on Tuesday whether the alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party will benefit the state.

Addressing a press conference in Patna, Kishor said he will launch “Baat Bihar Ki” campaign to reach out to people who believe in the need for a new leadership to make Bihar one of top 10 states of India. He said campaign will start on February 20 and mobilise 1 crore youth in 100 days.

The political strategist claimed data showed very little progress in Bihar between 2005 and 2015 and challenged Kumar and his ministers to debate with him on this matter, NDTV reported. “While Bihar has made progress, we must also see things from the perspective that compared to other states, Bihar is lacking even today...Why is that?” he asked. “It stands where it was in 2005. Except Jharkhand, Bihar is still the most backward state in India. I keep repeating that Bihar was most backward in 2005, and is still the most backward when compared to other states.”