Nitish's Flip Shows Modi, Shah Too Can Vie for 'Palturam' Moniker: Prashant Kishor

New Delhi: Political strategist Prashant Kishor – once believed to be close to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar – came out strongly on Sunday (January 28) against the latter's political switch and return to the National Democratic Alliance camp. Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Kishor also said that the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo could also be given the 'palturam' title, since they have been lashing out at Nitish for his alleged corruption and misgovernance, but did not hesitate to welcome him back into their alliance.

Kishor said Nitish's NDA stint is unlikely to last. He added that Nitish's party will not win more than 20 seats in the next assembly elections, no matter who it is in alliance with, the Bharatiya Janata Party of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. He also said that he had predicted Nitish's switch back to the NDA.

"If Nitish Kumar wins more than 20 seats in the next Assembly election, I will take retirement from my work. Please write it down," he said. "People of Bihar will pay Nitish Kumar back with interest."

"In the present Bihar picture, there are two sides. On one hand, Nitish Kumar is the face, supported by the BJP. On the other, there is RJD and the other parties. Bihar assembly election will not take place in this formation. Before the next Bihar election, there will be many dramatic developments. Within six months after the Lok Sabha election, you will see those developments," Kishor continued.

"If you follow my statements for the past year, you will find that I am the only person who has been saying that Nitish Kumar can flip anytime. But today it is proved that Narendra Modi, Amit Shah too can vie for the 'palturam' moniker," the strategist stated.

Kishor referred to his previous statement that if Nitish had continued in the RJD alliance, the Janata Dal (United) wouldn't win even five seats in the Lok Sabha election. "They got scared after my prediction and left Mahgathbandhan. My next prediction is Nitish Kumar's party won't get more than 20 seats in the state election," he said, according to Hindustan Times.

On Sunday, Nitish resigned from his post as chief minister after exiting the INDIA alliance and rejoining hands with the BJP, only to be sworn in again for the ninth time.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.