Jana Suraj founder Prashant Kishore has alleged that there is growing dissatisfaction among the people with the functioning of the Election Commission and that the organization seems to be cooperating with the parties in power. He demanded that transparent and credible reforms should be brought in to increase public confidence in the election process. He made these comments against the backdrop of nationwide protests against allegations of vote theft.
Prashanth Kishore spoke to reporters on Wednesday as part of the Kosi graduate MLC constituency election campaign in Supaul, Bihar. He said that questions about the impartiality of the Election Commission are not limited to any political party. He said that for the past decade, there has been growing suspicion among the public regarding issues such as preparation of voter lists, appointment of election observers, and implementation of election code of conduct.
"The process of creating voter lists, deletion of names of voters under the name of Special Comprehensive Amendment (SIR), appointment of observers, implementation of election code of conduct...seeing all this, it seems that the Election Commission is cooperating with the ruling party. Until credible and transparent reforms are brought to the people. Protests will continue," he said.
On the promise of seventh pay commission for teachers..
Prashanth Kishore said that Kosi graduate MLC elections are not to form or break the government. He criticized the elected government for ignoring the problems of teachers, ignoring the plight of flood victims, and failing to control crime and corruption. He described the election as an opportunity to make the present government work responsibly.
He promised to implement the Seventh Pay Commission pay scale for all categories of teachers in Bihar before the Lok Sabha elections. He said that all school teachers, appointed teachers, Madrasa and Sanskrit teachers will get this benefit. He announced that if the present government could not implement this promise, he would not come to ask for votes in the Lok Sabha elections. He also said that if his candidate wins, he will work to provide job opportunities to 10,000 local youth in the private sector on the basis of merit.
Criticism of Bihar leaders
Prashanth Kishore also criticized former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Janata Dal (United) leaders. Some senior leaders have commented that they have lost political importance. He challenged the JDU leaders who claimed to have the support of Nitish Kumar. They said that if Nitish really supports their candidate, he should release a one-minute video message to announce his support, and if he does, they will withdraw their candidate in his honour. He also mentioned the absence of Nitish Kumar's photos in the campaign posters.
Meanwhile, Prashant Kishore expressed his grief over the recent boat accident in Raghopur in which several people lost their lives. He condoled with the bereaved families and said he would visit the accident-affected area after returning to Patna. Prashant Kishore's allegations against the impartiality of the Election Commission and his election promises have become a topic of discussion in Bihar politics. The Election Commission's response to the criticism of the election process, as well as the subsequent developments on the implementation of Jana Suraj's guarantee on teachers' wages will be crucial.
