Bihar Minister Slaps Prashant Kishor with Rs 100 Crore Defamation Suit Demand Over "Secret Meeting" Claims

A political firestorm has erupted in Bihar, with state Water Resources Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha unleashing a legal broadside against political strategist Prashant Kishor. Jha has served a defamation notice demanding an unconditional public apology within 15 days, or face a colossal claim of Rs 100 crore in damages.

The legal battle ignites over Kishor's explosive allegations concerning Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's supposed clandestine meetings with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad after the formation of the grand alliance government.

Minister Jha, a prominent leader of the Janata Dal (United) and a close confidante of CM Nitish Kumar, categorically dismissed Kishor's remarks as "baseless, misleading, and false." He vehemently asserted that such accusations are a calculated attempt to tarnish the impeccable image and long-standing public life of the Chief Minister.

The notice, delivered through Jha’s counsel, warns Kishor of severe legal repercussions if he fails to retract his statements and issue an apology.

The controversy stems from Prashant Kishor's recent public statements where he claimed that Nitish Kumar had met Lalu Prasad Yadav in secret following the formation of the grand alliance government.

These claims, made amidst Kishor’s ongoing ‘Jan Suraaj’ padyatra (foot march) across Bihar, have been interpreted as an attempt to undermine the credibility of the Chief Minister and sow seeds of doubt among the electorate regarding his political integrity.

Jha’s legal notice underscores the gravity with which the JDU views Kishor’s statements.

It emphasizes that Nitish Kumar, throughout his extensive political career, has always maintained transparency and conducted his political engagements openly. The minister highlighted the Chief Minister's commitment to public service and his untarnished reputation, built over decades of dedicated work in Bihar.

Prashant Kishor, once a close aide and strategist for Nitish Kumar, has transformed into one of his most vocal critics in recent years.

His 'Jan Suraaj' campaign is widely seen as a prelude to his own political plunge in Bihar, positioning him as an alternative voice challenging the established political order. This legal confrontation adds a new, dramatic chapter to the evolving political dynamics between the former allies.

The notice from Minister Jha demands that Kishor not only apologize publicly but also cease from making any further defamatory remarks against Nitish Kumar.

Failure to comply, the notice warns, will lead to the initiation of a civil defamation suit for Rs 100 crore, alongside potential criminal proceedings. This development signals a significant escalation in the political skirmishes ahead of the upcoming elections, promising more fireworks in Bihar's charged political arena.