Bihar polls: BJP takes dig at Prashant Kishor for not contesting; calls move sign of 'weakness'

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Wednesday took a jibe at Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor , claiming he has decided to “bow out” of the Bihar assembly elections because the “businessman and former election campaigner” in him realised that the ground situation is not in his favour.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla , speaking to PTI, said, “Prashant Kishor is a very smart businessman and he has also had a lot of experience in running election campaigns .”

“Perhaps, the businessman and former election campaigner in him has realised that the real situation on the ground is not favourable for him or his party and that if he loses this election, then his business enterprise will have no takers in the future,” he added.

Also read: 'I will not contest Bihar polls': Prashant Kishor says NDA in 'complete chaos'; claims Nitish Kumar won't return as CM

Earlier during the day, Kishor announced that he will not contest the polls, adding that a “tally of less than 150 seats” for Jan Suraaj will be considered a defeat. He said the decision was taken by the party for its greater good.

Poonawalla added, “Therefore, perhaps seeing that reality on the ground that the NDA is forming its government once again with a strong mandate he has decided to bow out. It is only a ‘sign of weakness’ and ‘lack of confidence’. Nonetheless, these are business decisions that he has taken on behalf of his enterprise and he is entitled to do so.”

The BJP spokesperson also criticised other opposition parties in Bihar, saying, “Some people are contesting two seats or three seats. Some people are unable to declare seats. Some people are having constant fights within their alliance about who will get what seat. This shows they are not confident. They do not have any vision or mission. They are only having their confusion and their own ambition.”