Sheikhpura: Prashant Kishor, convenor of Jan Suraaj, demanded Bharat Ratna for Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Shri Krishna Singh, during a press conference in Sheikhpura. While on a one-day tour of Sheikhpura and Lakhisarai under the Jan Suraj Udghosh Yatra, he said that during Shri Krishna Singh’s tenure, Bihar was among the top 10 states in the country, but today it ranks among the most backward. He accused Congress and BJP of awarding Bharat Ratna based on political convenience rather than merit, stating that Jan Suraaj aims to restore Bihar to its past glory.
Prashant Kishor also launched a fresh attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, questioning his mental health. He alleged that Nitish Kumar is no longer fit to govern and challenged the government to release his medical bulletin if he is indeed healthy. Referring to the BPSC movement, Prashant Kishor claimed that the Chief Minister is so detached from state affairs that he cannot even recall the names and departments of his cabinet members without referring to notes. He predicted that as elections approach, Kumar’s public appearances will further expose his declining condition.
During his speech, Prashant Kishor criticized both Congress and BJP for using Bharat Ratna as a tool for political gain. He accused Congress of prioritizing its leaders over deserving figures and said the BJP is now doing the same. He reiterated that Krishna Singh, also known as “Bihar Kesari,” is above Bharat Ratna for the people of Bihar but must be officially honored with the title.
On the leadership of Jan Suraaj, Prashant Kishor clarified that he is not its leader but merely a sutradhar (facilitator). He described Jan Suraaj as a movement of millions who seek change and progress in Bihar. He said the party is an attempt to revive Mahatma Gandhi’s pre-independence Congress and create a platform for true democratic transformation in the state.
