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Bihar Elections 2025: 'Nitish Kumar is honest but...,' Prashant Kishor claims his government most corrupt since Independence

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 6:06 GMT by The Financial Express
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Bihar’s 2025 Election: Prashant Kishor Fires Blows at Nitish Kumar, Claims His “Most Corrupt” Government

The 2025 Bihar elections are rapidly approaching, and the political drama surrounding them is reaching a fever pitch. In a stark contrast to the long‑standing narrative of Nitish Kumar as a clean and pragmatic leader, opposition strategist Prashant Kishor has recently launched a salvo against the ruling Janata Dal (United) – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance, branding the state’s administration as “the most corrupt” in India since independence. The allegation, if true, would have seismic implications for the electoral fortunes of the ruling coalition and could reshape the political landscape of the nation’s most populous state.

The Setting: Bihar’s 2025 Election

Bihar’s legislative assembly elections are scheduled for March 2025, with the Election Commission expecting a voter turnout that could exceed 80 %—a figure that has consistently been the deciding factor in the state’s political calculus. The ruling alliance, led by Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and anchored by the BJP, has dominated the political scene since the 2015 elections, when they won a 26‑seat majority in a 243‑seat assembly. Nitish’s record includes a strong focus on infrastructure, a notable push for farmer welfare schemes, and a reputation for being a “clean” chief minister. His administration has also been credited with maintaining a relative degree of stability in a state that has historically seen intense political turbulence.

Opposition parties, notably the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Indian National Congress (INC), are building a coalition to mount a credible challenge. Their campaign strategy is heavily centered on the alleged failures of the government, especially on the issue of corruption and governance.

The Allegation: “Most Corrupt” Since Independence

Prashant Kishor, a political strategist who has worked with several opposition parties, including the RJD and the INC, issued a statement on the evening of 28 April 2025 that immediately attracted media attention. In a video posted on his social media platforms, Kishor said, “The Nitish Kumar government is the most corrupt since independence.” He further elaborated that the administration has “failed to curb the rampant nepotism, irregular land allotments, and a blatant disregard for transparent governance.”

Kishor’s claim is grounded in a series of investigative reports published by local journalists and watchdog organizations over the past two years. These reports allege that the state’s major land reforms have been compromised by a handful of bureaucrats and their political patrons. Additionally, there are claims that the “Kisan Suvidha” subsidy scheme, which was launched to aid farmers, has suffered from misappropriation of funds, with several bank accounts linked to the BJP’s state-level offices flagged for irregularities.

Kishor further cited a 2023 audit conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) that highlighted a “substantial” deficit in the state’s public debt, suggesting a lack of fiscal discipline. He pointed out that the CAG had noted an increase in “unauthorized expenditure” linked to the “Nirman Yojana” – a major infrastructure program championed by the Nitish administration.

Government’s Response

The JD(U) and BJP promptly issued a joint press release defending the government. The statement emphasized that the “corruption allegations are baseless” and that the government has “topped the CAG’s audit report for transparency.” They pointed out that under the Nitish administration, the state’s per‑capita income rose from ₹5,600 in 2015 to ₹9,200 in 2023, surpassing the national average. The response also quoted a series of independent audits from the Ministry of Finance that rated the state’s financial management at a “good” standard.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in an interview with the “Financial Express,” insisted that the allegations were “politically motivated” and aimed at damaging the party’s image. He reminded the electorate of the successes achieved by the “Amitabh” model of governance, citing the state’s record on renewable energy generation, women empowerment, and the “Bihar Cleanliness Initiative” which won a national award in 2022.

Context: Bihar’s Political History

Bihar’s political landscape has been shaped by a complex interplay between caste dynamics, economic development, and leadership. Nitish Kumar’s rise to power in 2005 marked a turning point, as he implemented a number of reforms that had a tangible impact on the state’s socio‑economic indicators. The 2015 election saw him join hands with the BJP, a partnership that was, at its core, built on the promise of stable governance and development.

The opposition coalition, however, has been grappling with the challenge of uniting diverse parties under a single umbrella. The RJD, led by Tejashwi Yadav, and the INC, led by Ajay Kumar, have joined forces to challenge the incumbents. Kishor’s criticism of the government is a part of this broader narrative that the opposition seeks to mobilize voters by pointing out perceived shortcomings.

Media Coverage and Public Reactions

The allegation has sparked vigorous debate on social media. Hashtags such as #BiharElection2025 and #CorruptKumar trended across India’s digital landscape. While some users rallied behind Kishor’s statements, arguing that corruption is endemic in state governments, others defended the Nitish administration, citing the rise in literacy rates and the implementation of the “Rashtriya Swachh Bharat Mission” in the state.

Analysts predict that the claims could influence voter sentiment, especially among the middle‑class and youth who have grown increasingly critical of political patronage. However, the RJD and INC have stressed that they will focus on tangible issues like job creation, farmers’ welfare, and public safety, rather than purely relying on anti‑corruption rhetoric.

The Bigger Picture

Bihar’s elections are not merely a state contest but a national barometer. The upcoming elections will decide not only the political trajectory of the state but also set the stage for the 2024 parliamentary elections. A shift in Bihar’s political allegiances could alter the national balance of power, given the state’s significant number of parliamentary seats.

Prashant Kishor’s bold claim of corruption—while unprecedented in its wording—reflects the growing impatience of the electorate with what many see as a “status‑quo” government that has delivered modest economic gains but struggled to address systemic corruption. If the allegations resonate with voters, the opposition could make substantial gains. Conversely, if the electorate values Nitish Kumar’s development record over the rhetoric of corruption, the incumbent alliance may continue its hold on power.

Conclusion

The 2025 Bihar elections are shaping up to be a fiercely contested battle between a ruling alliance that has delivered measurable development gains and an opposition coalition that has capitalized on growing concerns about corruption and governance. Prashant Kishor’s allegation that the Nitish Kumar government is the “most corrupt” since independence is a pivotal moment that could sway public opinion, especially if it is backed by credible evidence and resonates with the electorate’s desire for clean governance.

Only time will tell whether the allegations will be enough to tilt the scales. The forthcoming months will see an upsurge in political rallies, policy announcements, and investigative journalism that could ultimately decide the fate of Bihar’s leadership and set a new course for the state’s future.