Dear Patna, Former political strategist Prashant Kishor stated on Wednesday that he receives money because of his intelligence, retaliating against the ruling JD(U) in Bihar, which has been pursuing him over the financing source for his fledgling Jan Suraaj Party. Speaking at a party event here, Kishor, who wants to influence the assembly elections later this year, also made a subtle jab at the BJP by claiming that all of the wealth was flowing to Gujarat, the state that is home to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Kishor remarked, "Some people are raising the question as to from where am I getting the money to run this party," clearly referring to JD(U) spokesperson and MLC Neeraj Kumar, who has claimed that a Bengaluru-based "charitable" organization provided funding for the Jan Suraaj Party.
According to the JD(U) leader, Kishor also "donated" Rs 50 lakh to the organization, claiming that it seemed to be an example of "tax fraud."
As a former electoral strategist who has worked with political figures of all stripes, Kishor remarked, "My intelligence brings me money. It is certain that everyone who is blessed by Goddess Saraswati will also be blessed by Goddess Laxmi.
"I have never served in any government agency, including the IAS or IPS. I have never held a position in the legislature or as a contractor. I attribute whatever I have acquired to my intelligence (buddhi). The 47-year-old remarked, "My earnings shall ensure that money does not remain a problem for the youth of Bihar." He also promised to cover the polling costs of Jan Suraaj Party candidates who lacked the funds to run for office.
Kishor continued with rhetorical flourish, "Would all the money go to Gujarat's youth? even though the votes of Bihar's youth are used to gain power? We will no longer put up with this. Bihar's youth will no longer be a constant supply of inexpensive labor.
Notably, Kishor's career as a political strategist started in 2012 when he oversaw Modi's campaign for the Gujarat chief minister at the time, the assembly elections.
Additionally, Kishor oversaw Modi's wildly successful 2014 Lok Sabha campaign.
