Treated Muslims like fuel for 'lantern': PK targets Lalu, asks upper castes to stay away from Nitish
Belaganj (Bihar), Nov 5: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Tuesday claimed his Muslim outreach has left RJD president Lalu Prasad at his wit's end and the party's poll symbol lantern was now "bereft of fuel".
The former political strategist made the sassy remark at an election meeting in Belaganj assembly constituency where bypoll is scheduled later this month and Jan Suraaj is engaged in a three-cornered contest with RJD and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U).
Holding forth before a crowd that was predictably upper caste, Kishor said, "You must give me the credit for hoisting by his own petard a man you have lived in fear of for 35 years. Today he is not able to think clearly."
"Having treated Muslims like fuel for his lantern, he now finds his hurricane lamp without kerosene and its wick running dry," he added.
Notably, Kishor has fielded social activist Mohd Amjad from Belaganj, a move that is in line with his strategy of wooing Muslims, as seen in his series of interactions with members of the community before Jan Suraaj campaign evolved into a political party last month.
However, Kishor alleged that the land-owning castes were committing a mistake by voting for "cunning" (chalaak) Nitish Kumar who has "come up with the biggest assault on your interests in history in the form of land survey".
"The land survey requires you to get signatures of sisters and aunts who may have been married long ago to prove that you are bona fide owners of your land. In a few years, this exercise may be used to deprive you of your land," said Kishor, attempting to raise an issue that resonates strongly with the people of a largely agricultural state.
Kishor also recalled the 2020 assembly polls in which the JD(U)'s numbers crashed as a result of the revolt of Chirag Paswan, who gave LJP tickets to many rebels from the BJP, the first party of choice for the upper castes in Bihar.
"You (upper castes) had played a role in the humiliation of Nitish Kumar. The swagger over heading a party that once had more than 110 seats in the 243-strong assembly was gone and replaced by mortification over a humble 40 something tally," the IPAC founder said.
"Nitish remembers it all. He now wants to avenge the insult through his land survey. You must beware. Do not vote for Jan Suraaj if you do not like us. But do not vote for the party of Nitish. Better to opt for NOTA or an Independent candidate," said Kishor, who had handled the JD(U) boss's campaign in 2015 assembly polls and joined the party afterwards, only to be kicked out following a squabble with the supremo a few years later.
Bypolls are scheduled in three other seats of Bihar on November 13 and the Jan Suraaj is contesting all the four.
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South Africa go on top, push Australia to second; India slide to third in WTC points table
Dubai, Dec 9: South Africa on Monday replaced Australia at the top of the ICC World Test Championship table after their massive 109-run over Sri Lanka while India are now in the third place following their defeat in the Adelaide Test.
South Africa now have 63.33 percentage points after 10 matches in the cycle and they are followed by Australia (60.71 PTC).
India were leading the WTC table, heading into the Adelaide Test after their massive win in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener in Perth.
India had 61.11 points heading into the pink ball Test in Adelaide which they lost inside three days and they now stand third with 57.29 percentage points.
The best possible way for India to make a third appearance in the WTC final next year would be to win each of the three remaining Tests in Australia.
Australia had 57.69 percentage points before the Adelaide Test which improved to 60.71 after their win.
But even as they grabbed the top spot with the contest ending on Sunday, Australia remained table-toppers only for one day as the Proteas surged ahead with their win in the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
With the Border-Gavaskar series now tied at 1-1, Australia are in a strong position for a top-two finish.
They will also tour Sri Lanka next year for an additional two Tests, meaning they could theoretically draw 2-2 with India and stay in contention for a place in the final.
Both England and New Zealand have been penalised with three WTC points each for slow over-rate in the Christchurch Test, according to the ICC.
South Africa on 🔝
— ICC (@ICC) December 9, 2024
The Proteas displace Australia at the summit of the #WTC25 standings after #SAvSL series sweep 👊
Latest state of play 👉 https://t.co/1TUUJ5ThVs pic.twitter.com/bXizReyaAu
