PATNA/BETTIA, BIHAR – November 21, 2025 — Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor has launched a scathing attack on the newly sworn-in Bihar cabinet led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, alleging it is heavily populated with leaders who have criminal backgrounds and corruption records.

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Speaking to reporters in West Champaran after observing a day-long silent fast at the Gandhi Ashram, the founder of the Jan Suraaj Party declared the new council of ministers a “slap on the face of the people of Bihar” following the recent Assembly elections.

Accusations of Corruption and Criminality

 

Mr. Kishor, whose party failed to win seats in the recent polls, did not mince words, stating, “The new cabinet of Nitish Kumar, which took oath on Thursday, is full of corrupts and criminals. It is like rubbing salt on the wound as several tainted leaders were inducted.”

His allegations come just one day after Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Chief Minister for a record tenth time, alongside over 18 ministers from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which secured a massive majority in the 243-member Assembly.

Mr. Kishor suggested that the composition of the cabinet demonstrates that the top leadership of the ruling alliance, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Kumar, are “least concerned about Bihar” and its future development.

Quote: “This council of ministers is a blatant betrayal, inducting several corrupt leaders despite public outrage,” Prashant Kishor said. “They have purchased votes by transferring ₹10,000 into the bank account of more than 1 crore women. Now, they have no concern for the state or the people.”

Challenge on Electoral Promises and Future Strategy

 

Beyond the allegations of corruption, Mr. Kishor also challenged the NDA government on its pre-poll welfare promises:

1. Vote Buying Allegation: He reasserted claims that the government had engaged in “vote buying” by disbursing substantial funds under livelihood schemes just ahead of the polls. He claimed that funds were diverted from the state’s contingency fund and a grant from the World Bank for this purpose.

2. The ₹2 Lakh Challenge: He demanded that the government fulfill its alleged promise to provide ₹2 lakh to the women who received the initial ₹10,000 disbursement. He publicly vowed to retire from politics if the Nitish Kumar government delivers on this alleged promise within six months.

To counter what he termed a “corrupt regime,” Mr. Kishor announced his party’s future political course. The Jan Suraaj Party will launch the ‘Bihar Navnirman Sankalp Yatra’ on January 15, 2026, a door-to-door campaign where party workers will visit every household across the state for 15-18 months to “create awareness among the people about the misdeeds of this government.”

The former election strategist also pledged to donate 90% of his income over the next five years and most of his personal assets to fund the Jan Suraaj Party’s campaign.

Background and Context

 

The NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), LJP(RV), HAM(S), and RLM, won 202 seats in the recent Assembly polls. Analyses conducted by democratic reform organizations have previously highlighted that a significant number of the newly elected MLAs across party lines, including the BJP and JD(U), face serious criminal cases, a persistent structural issue in Bihar’s electoral politics.

Mr. Kishor’s strong remarks mark his first major public address since taking full responsibility for the Jan Suraaj Party’s poor performance in the Assembly elections.