Passing the Waqf Amendment Bill without consulting the Muslim community would be a mistake, says Jan Suraj Party chief
Team Clarion
PATNA – Launching a scathing attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, political strategist-turned-leader Prashant Kishor has claimed that the state is, in actuality, being run by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his handpicked officers.
Speaking to the media in Kishanganj on Monday, the Jan Suraj Party chief asserted that Nitish Kumar is physically exhausted and mentally unfit to govern Bihar. He said the chief minister’s credibility has collapsed over the past few years.
“Nitish Kumar is just a mask. In the last few years, Nitish Kumar’s credibility has collapsed. He is physically tired and mentally unwell. He is not in a position to run the government. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has placed him over the 13 crore people of Bihar, but in reality, the state is being run by Amit Shah and his chosen officers,” Kishor claimed.
Kishor’s criticism doesn’t stop there. He also opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill, arguing that passing it without consulting the Muslim community would be a mistake. He emphasised that any interference in the rights of minorities granted by the Constitution is unacceptable.
“If the Waqf law is passed, then Nitish Kumar and his JD-U MPs will be more responsible than the BJP. If JD-U MPs vote against the Waqf bill, it won’t pass. If they don’t, then they should stop calling themselves followers of Gandhi and Lohia,” he said.
Kishore attended an Eid Milan programme in Kishanganj. He also offered a chadar at Madrasa Amjadia Eidgah at Qadam Rasul, praying for peace, harmony, and unity in society.
The timing of Kishor’s remarks is significant, as they coincide with Nitish Kumar’s unusual public appearances, including an incident where he was seen laughing and talking during the playing of the national anthem. This has fuelled speculation about his political future and the state of governance in Bihar.
With the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections approaching, Kishor’s remarks are likely to intensify political debates on Nitish Kumar’s leadership and the BJP’s role in Bihar’s administration.
Prashant Kishor and Nitish Kumar have a complex history. Initially, Kishor worked as a political strategist for Nitish Kumar’s JD-U and helped him win the 2015 assembly election. In 2018, Kishor even joined the JD-U as its vice-president, solidifying their professional relationship. However, things took a turn when Kishor criticised Kumar’s decision to join forces with the BJP. This led to Kishor’s eventual departure from the JD-U in 2020. Since then, Kishor has been openly critical of Kumar’s leadership and the BJP’s influence in Bihar.
