Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and claimed that he spurned a recent request by the latter to "lead" the Janata Dal (United).
Mr Kishor, who is on a 3,500-km-long 'pada-yatra' that would cover every nook and corner of the state, made the claim in a remote part of West Champaran district, about 275 km from Patna.
"Nitish Kumar has been able to hold on to his chair and thinks he is very smart ('mukhyamanti banke bahut hoshiyar ban rahe hain')," said Mr Kishor with uncharacteristic acerbity for a leader whom he has often called a father figure.
"After losing the 2014 (Lok Sabha) polls, he met me in Delhi, begging for help. I assisted him in winning the 2015 assembly polls as the chief ministerial candidate of the 'Mahagathbandhan'. Today, he has the temerity to offer 'gyan' (wisdom) to me," added Mr Kishor.
The 45-year-old former national vice-president of JD(U) seems to have taken to heart Nitish Kumar's recent dismissive averment that Kishor "did not know A, B and C" of Bihar's politics, and the economy which he was promising to transform.
"I am the son of a doctor, trying to work in my home state after having proven my mettle across the country," the IPAC founder remarked, betraying indignation.
"You all must have learnt through media reports that Nitish Kumar had called me to his residence about 10-15 days back. He asked me to lead his party. I said it is not possible. I cannot go back on the commitment I have made in return for any post," said Mr Kishor, who has launched a public awareness campaign called 'Jan Suraaj'.
Mr Kishor was inducted into the JD(U) in 2018 by Nitish Kumar, who then headed the party, and got elevated to the national vice-president's post within a few weeks.
However, a squabble with Mr Kumar over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens led to his expulsion from the party less than a couple of years later.
JD(U) leaders did not immediately react to the latest utterances of Mr Kishor, which came on a day when festivities and a Patna High Court order throwing municipal elections into jeopardy held their attention.
However, Mr Kishor's outbursts came just a day after JD(U) national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan had questioned the source of his funding.
Mr Kishor also amply demonstrated that he was miffed, saying, "those wanting to know from where I am getting the money should know that unlike them, I have not indulged in 'dalaali' (brokerage)".
"Politicians have for long been seeking my advice on how to win elections. Media has been full of praise for my track record as a political strategist. But never before have I asked anybody to lend me money," he said.
"But today I am seeking donations. This is the fee that I am charging towards building this movement which entails expenses like the tent we have put up here," Kishor was heard as saying in the video footage shared on social media accounts of 'Jan Suraaj'.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
1st Test, Day 1: Jasprit Bumrah Leads India's Spectacular Bowling Comeback After Batting No-Show Jasprit Bumrah Stumps Everyone With Big Playing XI Call. No R Ashwin Or Ravindra Jadeja India vs Australia Highlights, 1st Test Day 1: Jasprit Bumrah Runs Riot, India Eye 'History' In Perth Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest "Truth Is...": BJP Leader Slaps Case Against Rahul Gandhi In Cash-For-Vote Row Indian Student In US Accidentally Shoots Himself Dead While Celebrating Birthday Bodies Of Infant, 5 Hostages Of Same Family Killed In Manipur Brought Home From Screams To Stunning Themes: 10 Of The Best Roller Coasters In The World Explainer: The Climate Conundrum At COP29 Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.