Nitish’s Government Is Worse Than Jungle Raj, Says Prashant Kishor

Muzaffarpur: Prashant Kishor launched a scathing attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during a press conference in Muzaffarpur on Sunday, claiming the state’s current situation is worse than the so-called “jungle raj” under Lalu Prasad’s rule. He alleged that governance under Nitish has led to a “jungle raj of officials” and accused the chief minister of clinging to power despite his party’s diminished political standing.

Recalling a conversation from 2014, Kishor said that Nitish Kumar had approached him in Delhi after resigning as Chief Minister, following JD(U)’s poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections, where the party won just two seats. “I asked him why he resigned despite the work he had done for the public, and he told me that since people had rejected him, he did not think it appropriate to remain in office,” Kishor said.

Kishor claimed he then advised Nitish to reclaim the chief minister’s post, offering strategic support for the elections. “On my suggestion, Nitish Kumar removed Jitan Ram Manjhi, whom he had appointed as CM,” Kishor added.

“Nitish Kumar once resigned as Railway Minister after a train accident killed 200 people in West Bengal. Today, his party has just 42 seats out of 243 in the assembly, yet he refuses to step down,” Kishor said. “Whether he aligns with the BJP or the RJD, his only concern is holding on to his chair, not the problems of the people.”

The poll strategist-turned-politician also directed sharp questions at Bihar’s finance minister, Samrat Choudhary, over the state’s economic condition. Citing RBI data, he alleged that capital worth Rs 26 lakh crore has left Bihar through banks since 1990. “The government must present the Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio data and explain why Bihar’s capital is flowing to other states,” he said.

Kishor also highlighted Bihar’s persistent poverty and unemployment, claiming that 80% of the population earns less than Rs 100 a day. He criticised the government for failing to utilise funds allocated under MNREGA, adding that Bihar’s per capita income remains Rs 34,000, and drops to Rs 25,000 if Patna and Begusarai are excluded.