Patna (Bihar): Poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who was expelled from the JD(U) on Wednesday hit out at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, announcing a campaign 'Baat Bihar Ki', as the state goes to polls later this year.
Kishor said Bihar was still one of the most under-developed states Speaking to the media here today, Kishor said he would not question Nitish Kumar's decision to expel him from the party.
"I have had good relations with Nitish Ji. I have immense respect for him. I will not question his decision," he said.
However, Kishor claimed that Bihar was among the poorest states in 2005 and continues to be so. "There is no one to question Nitish Kumar's governance model," he said.
"There has been development in Bihar during last 15 years, but pace has not been as it should have," he added.
Highlights from Kishor's presser The poll strategist announced that he was launching a programme called 'Baat Bihar ki' from February 20, "to work towards making Bihar one of the 10 best states in the country."
Attacking the JD-U chief, Kishor said: "Nitishji does not need to stay in the NDA coalition."
He said there have been many discussions between him and Nitish Kumar about the party's ideology. "Nitishji always told us that the party can never leave the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. But now the party is with those who are soft on Gandhi's killer Nathuram Godse. For me Gandhiji and Godse cannot go hand-in-hand," he said.
He said that the ideological differences with Nitish Kumar first emerged during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "We had a standoff on two points. It's not new, it started during Lok Sabha elections," Kishor said.
Firing all guns at the Chief Minister, Kishor said: "You shall have to tell us who you choose."
Kishor, who runs a consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and has been successful as poll strategist for many parties across the country was removed from the JD-U last month.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS)
