Accuses BJP of forcing his party’s candidates to quit Bihar elections
Sunil Chadha
Political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, who handled the campaign for the BJP in 2014 when Narendra Modi became the PM, has accused the BJP of using threats, pressure and high-level influence to make three candidates from his Jan Suraaj Party withdraw their nominations from the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Kishor said that the ruling party is afraid of the growing support for Jan Suraaj, which is offering voters a fresh alternative.
Kishor said that despite being a new political party, Jan Suraaj is creating enough buzz to worry the NDA. He said, “For years, the BJP has convinced people that no matter who wins, they form the government. Now that the people have a new option, they are panicking.”
He mentioned three specific candidates who, according to him, were forced to step down:
Mutur Shah from Danapur, who disappeared on the day of nomination and never submitted his papers.
Dr Satya Prakash Tiwari from Brahampur, who actively campaigned but then withdrew suddenly.
Dr Shashi Shekhar Sinha from Gopalganj, who cited “health issues” but had been participating in meetings and events until just before quitting.
Kishor claimed that these withdrawals were not voluntary, but the result of threats, family pressure or direct influence from senior BJP leaders.
BJP using top leaders to scare rivals, claims Kishor
Kishor did not stop at blaming local BJP units. He directly accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of getting involved in persuading Jan Suraaj candidates to back out.
Showing photos of Jan Suraaj candidates with these leaders, he asked, “When a small trader or doctor is called by the Home Minister, what option do they really have?”
In Danapur, Kishor said that BJP leaders used fear tactics by pointing at the Mahagathbandhan candidate, who has a reputation as a strongman, telling voters to support the BJP or face consequences.
In Brahampur, Jan Suraaj’s candidate, Dr Tiwari, had filed his nomination and begun campaigning, but abruptly withdrew. Kishor claimed this was because of pressure related to Hulas Pandey, the candidate fielded by the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), who also has a strongman image.
The case in Gopalganj was similar. Dr Sinha was attending events until 8 pm, but by midnight, BJP leaders reportedly met him. By the next morning, he had withdrawn. “The people of Bihar deserve to know if our candidates are leaving the race by choice or are they being silenced?” Kishor asked.
Kishor says democracy in danger, urges EC to act
Calling the situation a threat to democracy, Kishor said he will approach the Election Commission. However, he also voiced doubts about the EC’s independence. “If the Election Commission cannot protect candidates, how can it protect voters?” he asked.
He added that Jan Suraaj is still standing strong, with over 240 candidates in the fray. “No matter how many people you scare or buy, we will fight. Bihar is ready for change,” he said, referring to the November 14 counting day.
Kishor argued that BJP doesn’t fear criminal candidates from the Opposition, but fears clean, honest individuals such as teachers, doctors and small business owners who have joined Jan Suraaj. “These are people with no criminal records, but the BJP sees them as a bigger threat,” he said.
“If candidates can’t contest freely, how can elections be fair? Jan Suraaj will not step back. Bihar’s people will speak through their votes,” he said.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy dismissed the allegations, saying Kishor should first win an election before criticizing others. Union Minister Chirag Paswan also downplayed Jan Suraaj’s impact, calling it a party with no real ground presence.
But Kishor remains confident. He believes that with migrant workers returning home for Diwali and Chhath, Bihar will vote for a better future — and send a strong message to the ruling alliance.
