Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj party, has filed his nomination for the Bankipur assembly elections in Bihar. According to his election affidavit, he has declared movable and immovable property totaling over 96 crore rupees.
Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj party, has filed his nomination for the Bankipur assembly elections in Bihar. According to his election affidavit, he has declared movable and immovable property totaling over 96 crore rupees.
The political strategist, known as PK, is contesting in a constituency that traditionally serves as a strong base for the BJP, following the departure of the national party president, Nitin Nigam. Kishor submitted the documents after conducting a padyatra (foot march) in Patna on Monday.
As per the submitted affidavit, Kishor's total assets exceed 96 crore rupees. This sum includes movable property valued at 22.19 crore rupees and immovable property worth 73.87 crore rupees. His wife has declared total assets amounting to 101.93 crore rupees, consisting of movable property valued at 89.51 crore rupees and real estate worth 12.42 crore rupees.
The affidavit also states that Kishor possesses 65,570 rupees in cash, while his wife has 1,95,200 rupees. Furthermore, it was revealed that Kishor holds a 100% controlling stake in a private company that donated 85 crore rupees to the Jan Suraaj party and 50 lakh rupees to the Jan Suraaj Foundation during the financial year 2024-25.
According to the nomination documents, eight criminal cases have been filed against Kishor; however, the affidavit emphasizes that he has not been convicted in any criminal case.
Kishor was born in Konar village, Rohtas district, and received his schooling in Buxar. His father, Shrikant Pandey, is a doctor, and his mother, Sushila Pandey, manages the household. Before entering politics, Kishor worked on public health programs funded by the United Nations until 2011.
He began working in political consulting during the Gujarat assembly elections in 2012. Later, he co-founded the Citizens for Accountable Governance (CAG) organization in 2013 to support Narendra Modi's campaign in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Kishor is known for initiatives such as 'Chai Pe Charcha', 3D rallies, Run for Unity, and Manthan, as well as extensive social media work during the successful BJP campaign in the 2014 general elections.
The Bankipur assembly elections are scheduled for July 30, with vote counting planned for August 3.
The National Coordinator of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arvind Kejriwal, leveled accusations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, asserting that the party is shielding the 'real culprits' in the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Mandir.
Referring to the alleged embezzlement of funds collected for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Kejriwal stated that the investigation itself was organized to protect those responsible. He sharply criticized the course of action, saying: 'This is a SIT fiction and a fake FIR. The real culprits are being covered up. Why are they being protected?'
Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Kejriwal claimed that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah had not visited the temple for 891 days after its opening, despite repeated mentions of Lord Rama and the Ram Mandir in his speeches. He emphasized: 'After the construction of the Ram Mandir, Home Minister Amit Shah has not even once come to bow at the feet of Lord Shri Rama.'
Furthermore, addressing the press, the former Mayor of Delhi also criticized the central government. Kejriwal stated that if they want the donation thieves to be punished, they must change the government, as the current central and regional authorities cannot ensure such punishment. He called upon all followers of Lord Rama who desire punishment for the donation thieves to change the power.
Additionally, the head of AAP asserted that BJP leaders do not consider Lord Rama as God, adding: 'These people do not consider Rama as God; otherwise, they would not steal.'
The remarks by the AAP leader came amid escalating political tension related to the issue of handling donations at the Ram Mandir, with the party demanding an impartial investigation and accountability.
