'RJD scared of Kanhaiya Kumar, feels he'll challenge leadership': Prashant Kishor on van snub incident

Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) chief Prashant Kishor has heaped praise on NSUI national in-charge Kanhaiya Kumar, calling him "Congress's most influential leader in Bihar," while hinting at internal tensions within the INDIA bloc. Kishor claimed that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is "scared" of leaders like Kanhaiya, fearing they may "challenge the leadership."

His remarks came after Kanhaiya Kumar, along with Pappu Yadav, was barred by security personnel from boarding a van during the Mahagathbandhan protest against electoral roll revision in poll-bound Bihar.

Speaking to about the incident, Kishor said that the RJD do not want an influential leader like Kanhaiya to be "active" in Congress. He added that Congress has "no base" in Bihar, while suggesting their dependence on the RJD for the upcoming Bihar Assembly election.


"This is their internal matter. However, Kanhaiya Kumar is one of the most influential leaders of the Congress party in Bihar... This proves what we have been saying, that the RJD leadership is so scared of people like Kanhaiya Kumar that they feel that if a new person comes, he will challenge the leadership," he said.

He further added, "RJD will never want leaders like him or other influential leaders to be active in the Congress...Congress has no base in Bihar...Congress only does what the RJD leadership decides."

On Wednesday, Kanhaiya Kumar and Pappu Yadav attempted to board the van carrying Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav during the 'Bihar Bandh' rally in Patna but were stopped by security guards.

Videos of the incident show both leaders being prevented from joining Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, sparking speculation of rifts within the alliance.

The rally was part of the INDIA bloc's protest against the Election Commission's decision to conduct a special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. (ANI)