Patna: Accusing the BJP of intimidating Jan Suraaj Party candidates, poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor today said three picks of his party were pressured into withdrawing their nomination for the upcoming Bihar election. Kishor also told media that he would raise the issue with the Election Commission.

"The BJP has built an image in the last few years that no matter who wins elections, the BJP forms the government. Look at the condition of the party that called Jan Suraaj a vote-cutter and said we have no identity. The polling process has begun, and NDA is terrified."

"And they are not afraid of the Mahagathbandhan, which they use to scare people. They warn the people that if they don't vote for them, Lalu Yadav's 'Jungle Raj' will return. This time, people have a new option, Jan Suraaj. Jan Suraaj is the way out of the 30-year slavery, because of which people are forced to vote for the BJP and Nitish Kumar because of Lalu ji's fear, and for Lalu ji because of the BJP's fear," Kishor said.

Three Jan Suraaj candidates, he said, were forced to withdraw their nominations: Mutur Shah from Danapur, Satya Prakash Tiwari from Brahampur, and Shashi Shekhar Sinha from Gopalganj.

In Danapur, Kishor said, the Mahagathbandhan candidate has the image of a bahubali (a political strongman). "So, the BJP scares the people, 'vote for us, otherwise he will make your life hell'. This time, the people of Danapur decided not to vote for the BJP out of fear," he said.

Mutur Shah, he said, took the Jan Suraaj symbol but did not reach the poll body's office. BJP leaders said supporters of RJD's candidate Ritlal Yadav abducted Mutur Shah, Kishor said. Holding a photograph, he said, "See here, Mutur Shah is with Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan."

Accusing the BJP of pressuring its candidates, he said, "This is the BJP's character. You tell me, an ordinary trader who has entered politics, if the Home Minister calls him, what option does he have?"

In Brahampur, he said, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has fielded strongman Hulas Pandey. "Jan Suraaj's candidate was Satya Prakash Tiwari. He campaigned for three days. Yesterday, he withdrew his nomination. And see the picture behind the scenes," he said, holding up a photograph of Sinha with Union Minister Pradhan. "Bihar needs to know if Jan Suraaj's leaders are running away or if democracy is being murdered. Candidates are being threatened openly," he said.

Speaking about Gopalganj, Kishor said Jan Suraaj's candidate, Shashi Sekhar Sinha, was a regular at party meetings. "Till 8 pm the day before yesterday, he was campaigning for the polls. After 11 pm, a BJP MLC and other prominent leaders met him and pressured him to withdraw his nomination," Kishor said. He then showed a photograph of Sinha with BJP leaders.

"Jan Suraaj's 240 warriors are still in the arena and won't rest till they uproot NDA. And everything will be clear on November 14 (counting day). Prashant Kishor and his Jan Suraaj associates are not going to be scared, no matter how many candidates you buy, threaten, or confine, the election will be fought and fought strongly," he said.

Kishor said the NDA does not fear Mahagathbandhan because they know the Opposition's candidates include "bahubalis and sand mafia". "They will tell the people that they should vote for them to prevent the return of 'jungle raj'. But they fear good people, doctors, traders, educationists and social workers," he said.

Spinning a popular dialogue from Salman Khan's Dabangg, 'thappad se dar nahi lagta, pyaar se lagta hai', Kishor said, "These people don't fear goons as candidates, they fear good people. This is Jan Suraaj's fear. We have fielded good people, but they are not political people. Their families and relatives are being pressured to make them withdraw their nomination," he said. "If candidates are not safe, how will voters be safe?" Kishor asked, urging the poll body to step in. "Jan Suraaj's warriors will not step back. Bihar will change," he said.

Source: NDTV