Patna: Prashant Kishor, who had predicted doomsday for Nitish Kumar in the Bihar Assembly polls, had to swallow a bitter pill after the results were declared. Not only was Nitish sworn in as chief minister for the 10th term, with the ruling NDA alliance winning 202 out of 243 seats, Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) drew a big blank.
A week after JSP’s dismal electoral debut, Kishor announced a new mission not directly related to his party. The political strategist-turned-politician announced a statewide campaign to ensure that women in Bihar receive the Rs 2 lakh that NDA had promised in its poll manifesto.
Having observed a day-long silent fast at Gandhi Ashram in West Champaran, Kishor said on Friday his party leaders and workers will personally reach out to every household in the state to help women get the promised amount.
“After January 15, we will go to each and every household an
d make them fill the form so that they get Rs 2 lakh,” the JSP founder stated.
He claimed many women were “lured” with the first instalment of Rs 10,000 being transferred to their accounts before the elections, adding that it was JSP’s ‘responsibility’ now to assist those who had been drawn in by the monetary promise.
Through the Bihar Navnirman Sankalp Abhiyan, Jan Suraaj workers will visit every home and help beneficiaries fill out forms so they could claim the remaining Rs 1.90 lakh.
The Bihar Navnirman Sankalp Abhiyan campaign won’t be hampered by lack of funds as Kishor announced he would donate at least 90 per cent of his earnings over the next five years to support the initiative.
“Barring one house in Delhi for my family, I am donating all my assets earned in the last 20 years to this initiative,” Kishor said. He also urged people in Bihar to contribute at least Rs 1,000 a year to his party.
Kishor criticised the newly-formed cabinet of Nitish Kumar, alleging that there were many among the council of ministers sworn in on Thursday who had criminal or corrupt backgrounds.
“I must say that this council of ministers is a slap in the face of the people of Bihar. It’s like rubbing salt on the wound as several corrupt leaders were inducted,” Kishor remarked.