Prashant Kishor’s Lavish Vanity Van At Hunger Strike Site Sparks Row, He Responds – News18

Last Updated:January 04, 2025, 20:24 IST

The luxury vanity van, is parked a few hundred metres from the site at the historic Gandhi Maidan, where Kishor launched his ‘aamaran anshan’ on Thursday evening.

Controversy erupted on Saturday over a ‘vanity van’ parked close to Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, where Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor is on a fast-unto-death (PTI)

Poll strategist-tuned politician Prashant Kishor, who began a fast unto death in solidarity with students demanding cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam, has gained attention as his luxury vanity van parked near the protest site became the center of political debate.

The luxury vanity van, is parked a few hundred metres from the site at the historic Gandhi Maidan, where Kishor launched his ‘aamaran anshan’ on Thursday evening. The photos of the van have gone viral, sparking questions on social media about its presence.

The high-end vehicle of Jan Suraaj party chief, reportedly costing Rs 25 lakh per day, features home-like luxury arrangements, including air conditioning, a kitchenette, and a sleeping area.

Opposition Targets Kishor

Opposition parties, including the RJD, have criticised Kishor, accusing him of staging a show of protest. RJD said that using such a lavish facility undermines the seriousness of his hunger strike and portrays a misleading narrative of solidarity with the students.

BJP further questioned the source of funds for renting the costly vanity van. The party argued that the use of luxury amenities at a protest site dilutes the credibility of the movement and raises ethical concerns about its intent.

There were allegations that Kishor’s move might be an attempt to mislead the public and divert attention from the core issues raised by the students.

Kishor Responds To Controversy

Reacting to the controversy, Kishor said that he has been on hunger strike for three days and hasn’t slept in the van. Those making the issue out of it should come and spend a night in chilly winter at the protest site.

“I am on a fast here. If I go home to relieve myself, then journalists will ask questions whether I went to have food or take a nap… Some people said the vanity van is worth Rs 2 crore and the rent for the same is Rs 25 lakh per day.

“I want to convey this through mediapersons… let this van be taken away and in return, give me Rs 25 lakh per day and provide an alternate space that can be used as washroom.” Asked further about the purpose of the vehicle, the 47-year-old former political strategist wondered if the question of “where we relieve ourselves is more important than the future of BPSC aspirants”.

“Will you be able to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar about the amenities they enjoy?” Kishor said.

Jan Suraaj Party spokesperson Vivek also dismissed the controversy, saying, “This is not an issue. The issue is the future of the candidates.” He accused political opponents of using the vanity van to defame Kishor, adding that the focus should remain on the students’ demands for justice.

BPSC Protests

Kishor began a hunger strike at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on Thursday to press the demand for cancellation of the exam in the wake of allegations of a paper leak in the examination held on December 13.

Kishor made the announcement at the historic Gandhi Maidan in the state capital, three days after giving a “48-hour ultimatum” to the Nitish Kumar government for acting on the demand, raised by aggrieved candidates.

Meanwhile, an FIR has been slapped on Kishor and his “150 supporters” by the district administration, which has asserted that the protest at the site was “illegal”.

Tensions escalated earlier this week when police deployed water cannons to disperse protesting students. An altercation between Kishor and some BPSC aspirants followed, with students accusing Kishor of intimidation.

Aspirants are demanding the scrapping of the examination which was held across the state on December 13, 2024, and a re-examination citing paper leak and other irregularities that allegedly occurred at various examination centres.

(With inputs from agencies)