Patna: The Prashant Kishor-led Jan Suraaj Party has accepted its wipeout in the Bihar assembly elections but alleged that the NDA’s sweeping victory was secured through what it called a “bought majority.”
Speaking a day after the results, Jan Suraaj national president Uday Singh said the NDA had spent Rs 40,000 crore in pre-poll cash transfers, claiming that Bihar’s “future was sold in exchange for a majority.” The party, which contested nearly all seats, failed to win even one.
Singh alleged that Rs 14,000 crore from a World Bank-funded project was diverted to distribute cash to voters. “People living in poverty and distress saw the sudden transfer of money as a blessing, and that is why the NDA secured such a landslide victory,” he said.
In a further twist to the party’s post-poll mobilisation, Prashant Kishor cancelled a press conference that had been scheduled for today. The party did not immediately provide an explanation for the cancellation.
Despite its poor showing, the party has issued a demand that the next chief minister ensure a “clean government,” insisting that no tainted or previously controversial figures be included in the new cabinet. Singh said ministers with past allegations “should have no place in the new administration.”
The Jan Suraaj leader said the party would continue to hold Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar accountable for the promises made to Bihar. He added that Jan Suraaj would maintain the same determination it had shown since its formation a year ago. “We will continue to expose the government’s failures and corruption,” he said.
Though the party will not have a role in the assembly, Singh insisted Jan Suraaj would operate as a “strong external opposition,” monitoring every decision of the new government.
He said the election outcome would not deter the organisation from pursuing its agenda and expanding its presence on the ground.
