Bettiah, 21 Nov

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Friday alleged that the new cabinet of the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar was “full of corrupt and criminal leaders”.

Speaking to reporters after a day-long silent fast at the Gandhi Ashram in West Champaran, Kishor said the party will launch the ‘Bihar Navnirman Sankalp Yatra’ on 15 January, during which workers will visit every household in the State.

“The new cabinet of Nitish Kumar, which took oath on Thursday, is full of corrupts and criminals. This council of ministers is a slap in the face of the people of Bihar. It is like rubbing salt into the wound as several corrupt leaders were inducted,” he alleged, days after the party’s drubbing in the recent assembly elections.

Kishor claimed that the composition of the cabinet indicates that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Kumar are “least concerned” about Bihar.

“They purchased votes by transferring Rs 10,000 into the bank accounts of more than 1 crore women. Now, they have no concern for the State or the people,” he alleged.

“If I am saying anything wrong, the State government can put me behind bars,” he added.

Kishor alleged that the government diverted money from the State’s contingency fund and a World Bank grant for the cash transfer scheme.
“Now, we will ensure that women get Rs 2 lakh as promised by the NDA ahead ofthe polls,” he said.

As part of the ‘Bihar Navnirman Sankalp Yatra’, Kishor said Jan Suraaj Party workers will visit every house in the State over 15–18 months to “create awareness about the misdeeds of the government”, adding that the organisation will be strengthened before the campaign begins.

The former poll strategist said he will donate 90 per cent of his income over the next five years for the party’s campaign.
“Whatever assets I have acquired in the last 20 years, except my Delhi house, I will donate to the party,” he said.

He appealed to people to contribute Rs 1,000 annually to the party, saying he would “not meet anyone who doesn’t donate this amount”.

Kishor said he believes in Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology of patience and perseverance.
“We will change the government. They tried to break our morale in this election. We will fight and win,” he said.