Political strategist Prashant Kishor has recently intensified his criticism of the Congress party's alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar, asserting that the national party has effectively become a "sidekick" to Tejashwi Yadav, the son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. Kishor, who is preparing for his electoral debut with his Jan Suraaj party in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, has been a vocal critic of dynastic politics and the state's prevailing political landscape.
Kishor's remarks came during a series of public addresses and media interactions where he has been sharply critical of both the RJD and the Congress. He accused Rahul Gandhi of lacking the courage to contest elections independently, stating that the Congress leader has always relied on the Lalu Yadav family for political strength in Bihar. "There are no differences between Rahul Gandhi and the family of Lalu Prasad Yadav," Kishor said. "He and Congress have held Lalu Prasad Yadav's flag all their life and will now hold it for Tejashwi Yadav." He further added, "Rahul Gandhi does not have the courage to contest elections alone. They can't do anything on their own."
The political strategist also challenged Rahul Gandhi to publicly denounce Lalu Prasad Yadav's past comments regarding Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. This challenge appears to be an attempt to highlight what Kishor sees as the Congress party's compromises in its alliance with the RJD, particularly on issues of social justice and historical figures. By daring Rahul Gandhi to criticize Lalu, Kishor is putting the Congress leader in a difficult position, forcing him to choose between maintaining the alliance and potentially alienating a segment of his party's base.
Kishor's strategy seems to be aimed at positioning his Jan Suraaj party as a third alternative in Bihar, distinct from both the RJD-Congress alliance and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He has consistently criticized all major political parties in Bihar, alleging that they are primarily focused on furthering their own interests and those of their families, rather than working for the development of the state.
The comments made by Kishor underscore the complex dynamics of Bihar's political landscape, where caste and family ties play a significant role. The RJD has traditionally enjoyed strong support from the Yadav community, while the Congress has struggled to maintain its relevance in the state in recent years. The alliance between the two parties is seen by some as a marriage of convenience, with the Congress relying on the RJD's support base to stay afloat in Bihar.
Prashant Kishor's entry into Bihar politics has added another layer of complexity to the upcoming elections. While it remains to be seen how successful his Jan Suraaj party will be, his consistent criticism of the established political players has the potential to resonate with voters who are seeking a change from the status quo. Kishor's challenge to Rahul Gandhi and his broader critique of the Congress-RJD alliance are indicative of his efforts to carve out a distinct political identity for himself and his party in the state.
