‘Remarks made to deliberately humiliate me': Bihar minister sues Prashant Kishor for defamation over ticket-buying claims
Accusing Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor of making 'baseless and derogatory' remarks against him and his daughter, Bihar Rural Works Department minister and JD(U) leader Ashok Choudhary on Tuesday filed a defamation suit at the Patna Civil Court.
Kishor had recently alleged that Choudhary paid Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) to secure a ticket for his daughter, Shambhavi Choudhary, who won the Samastipur Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 elections.
Ashok Choudhary said Kishor made 'irresponsible remarks to deliberately humiliate me'. While Ideological differences in public life are one thing, personal attacks and public humiliation are unacceptable, he said. 'I sent him a legal notice, but his response was unsatisfactory. Today, I have filed a defamation suit in the CJM court,' Choudhary said.
'We represent a society that was long denied a voice. Our parents educated us, and we have been in politics for so long. If we remain silent, how will the poor society we represent understand what it means to fight for their rights? This mindset against backward and Dalit communities, this kind of language, must stop. You cannot just say anything,' the minister said.
He demanded a public apology from Kishor, warning that he would 'pursue the case up to the Supreme Court' if necessary.
'My daughter and I have struggled to reach this position, and millions look up to us. Our society didn't even have the right to speak 40-50 years ago. If we don't fight, do you think an ordinary Dalit will stand up against such accusations? This case is to show our society that we should not fear and must use our constitutional rights against irresponsible and wrong claims,' said Choudhary.
During a press conference in Siwan, Kishore addressed the matter. 'I am not someone who gets intimidated by defamation cases or FIRs… He may file as many lawsuits and FIRs against me, those won't scare me,' he said.
He alleged that 'corruption is openly discussed across Bihar's villages', be it in land surveys or government jobs, and added that 'if speaking the truth invites defamation suits, then every journalist will face cases.
Kishor, a former political strategist turned politician, launched Jan Suraaj Party in October 2024 after a 3,000-km padyatra across Bihar. His party has announced plans to contest all seats in the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, positioning itself as an alternative to mainstream parties.
At a press conference last month in Jamui, Kishor had alleged that Choudhary paid LJP(RV) to secure the Samastipur ticket for Shambhavi, who at 25, won the seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, becoming one of the youngest members of Parliament.
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