Will join Nitish if he provides 10 lakh jobs, says PK
After politically attacking Nitish Kumar for weeks, poll strategist Prashant Kishor said that he will only align with the Bihar Chief Minister if the latter provides 10 lakh jobs in a year. The duo, who had paired up for Bihar polls in 2018, had been exchanging allegations with each other for last few weeks but finally held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday. Here's more.
Why does this story matter?
Kishor had joined the Janata Dal (United) in 2018 but was pushed out of the party a few months later. PK launched his campaign 'Jan Suraaj' earlier this year and vowed to conduct a 3,000 km long padayatra in Bihar. Kumar broke his alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in August and is attempting to strengthen the opposition for 2024 general elections.
What did PK say?
Responding to speculations about an alliance, Kishor reportedly said that he will only do so if JD(U) provides 10 lakh jobs a year in Bihar. Kishor also confirmed that he met Kumar on Tuesday. Notably, the strategist then tweeted out a poem that read, "I can find victory with your help, but what face shall I show to the humanity to come?"
Take a look at PK's 'mysterious' tweet
What does this poem mean?
The poem by Ramdhari Singh Dinkar is based on a dialogue between Karna and Ashwasena (a snake) in the Mahabharata and is spoken during the former's battle with Arjuna. Ashwasena is in Karna's quiver when he claims that he can kill Arjuna. Karna then responds, if I win with your help, what face will I show to humanity? The poem has triggered further speculation.
No political significance in meeting, says Kumar
PK's tweet made many wonder about the "snake" in this political puzzle. Meanwhile, confirming the meeting on his end, Kumar said, "It was a normal meeting... He was brought along by Pavan Varma who had met me a couple of days earlier too." According to India Today, the CM said that they share an "old relationship" and do not harbor any bitter feelings.