Patna, Oct 21 (NationPress) The founder of Jan Suraaj, Prashant Kishor, has made grave accusations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and several other BJP leaders. He claims they are intimidating and coercing his party's candidates to withdraw their nominations in the lead-up to the Bihar Assembly elections.

During a press conference held at Sheikhpura House in Patna on Tuesday, Kishor asserted that the withdrawals of Jan Suraaj candidates from the Danapur, Gopalganj, and Brahmapur constituencies stemmed from the BJP's anxiety over Jan Suraaj's rising influence.

“The BJP has built a reputation for forming governments regardless of election outcomes. The same party that once dismissed Jan Suraaj as a vote-cutter is now fearful of us,” Kishor remarked.

He highlighted the situation in Danapur, where local businessman Akhilesh Kumar, also known as Mutoor Shah, had accepted a Jan Suraaj ticket but did not submit his nomination.

Kishor stated that BJP leaders alleged RJD-affiliated goons had taken him hostage, but he was spotted with Amit Shah and Dharmendra Pradhan instead.

“This showcases the BJP’s tactics, character, and face. The nation's Home Minister is personally reaching out to a common businessman. What chance does an ordinary citizen have against such power?” Kishor noted, adding that his party plans to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission regarding this matter.

Kishor also presented a photograph of Satya Prakash Tiwari, Jan Suraaj’s candidate from Brahmapur, alongside Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

He claimed that Tiwari, a doctor based in Patna, was pressured into withdrawing his nomination following discussions with BJP leaders.

“It’s unprecedented for a central minister to meet a candidate post-election announcement. Tiwari campaigned for three days and then abruptly withdrew. He succumbed to intimidation,” Kishor asserted.

Additionally, Kishor accused Shashi Shekhar Sinha, Jan Suraaj’s candidate from Gopalganj, of facing similar coercion from local BJP officials.

“He contacted me, expressing he was under pressure yet resolute. Just two hours later, he withdrew and ceased communication,” Kishor explained.

In response to inquiries, Kishor emphasized that Jan Suraaj has fielded 54 candidates from extremely backward communities, representing the highest proportion from any party thus far, along with 34 Muslim candidates statewide.

Several senior party figures attended the press conference, including State President Manoj Bharti, Subhash Singh Kushwaha, Sarwar Ali, State Media In-charge Obaidur Rahman, Captain Rajiv Ranjan, and Sadaf Iqbal.