Prashant Kishor, Pavan Varma: From Nitish Kumar confidantes to bete noires

Prashant Kishore, the famed political strategist and Pavan Varma, the diplomat turned politician constituted two strong ‘ideological pillars’ of Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) party.

Both of them were inducted into the party with great fanfare in 2013 and 2015 respectively, rather were handpicked by Nitish Kumar himself. Both were supposed to give party a makeover and help realise the party its national ambitions.

Both of them despite non-political background and inadequate political experience, not only joined party but fetched top positions, courtesy Nitish Kumar. Varma was made cultural advisor to Bihar CM and made party’s general secretary and national spokesperson. Prashant was directly appointed JD(U) Vice-President, a post for which ordinary worker would have had to work for decades.

Sulking JD (U) members protested in silence but later grudgingly accepted the status quo.

Why Kishor, Varma were shown the door?

JD(U) national spokesperson KC Tyagi issued press release to declare the sacking of two leaders from primary membership of the party. The ‘dismissal letter’ read out clearly – “Party’s decisions, discipline and loyalty for the leadership is the fundamental requirement”.

Clearly, Kishor and Varma were in violation of party’s discipline, rather their conduct of last few days amounted to anti-party activity. Both of them not only embarrassed the party with their public outburst over CAA and NRC but also questioned party’s stand over citizenship bill and JD(U)’s alliance with BJP, beyond Bihar.

Pavan Varma made the confidential letter to Nitish public while Kishor’s emphasis on personal opinion over party’s, did the damage. It was then that Nitish Kumar read the riot act, hinting at snapping ties with disgruntled leaders.

Cost of confronting Nitish?

Nitish Kumar remains the undisputed leader of party and goes by name of ‘Mr Clean’ in political circles. His authority remains unchallenged despite party being reduced to single digits in 2014 Parliamentary elections. He took a backseat after big debacle but continued to remote-control the party.

First Jitan Ram Manjhi, Nitish-appointed CM and then Sharad Yadav, a party old warhorse, both challenged Nitish leadership but they had to quit party.

Pavan Varma was given tacit warning by Nitish, when the latter wished him well in future endeavours, if he chooses to move away. Prashant Kishor was too warned but he chose to go one step ahead.

Insiders say, since Nitish handpicked him, he was very accommodative of Kishor despite him being critical of JD(U) policies on public forums. Before pressurizing Nitish to take back support on CAA, Kishor also disapproved of Nitish snapping ties with RJD and joining hands with BJP, something which drew immense criticism within the party.

All hell broke loose when Nitish broke silence on Kishor on January 28, when the Bihar CM said that political strategist was inducted in party at insistence of Amit Shah. Had Kishor kept mum and not tweeted angry reaction, the crisis could have been averted.

However, one may see that the silver lining was there on the wall for long. It was the direct attack on Bihar CM which paved way for their ouster from party.