Patna (Bihar) [India], June 28 : "Targeting a Dalit woman who is progressing shows a feudal mindset," said Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary slamming Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor for alleging that her father, Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary, 'paid' for her Lok Sabha ticket.
Last month, during a press conference in Bihar's Jamui, Kishor had alleged that JD(U) leader Ashok Choudhary had paid the LJP (Ram Vilas) to obtain the Samastipur Lok Sabha ticket for his daughter Shambhavi, who, at 25, won the seat in the 2024 general elections and became one of the youngest MPs. Later, Bihar minister and senior JD(U) leader Ashok Choudhary filed a defamation case against Kishor over his allegation.
In an interview with ANI, Shambhavi hit out at Kishor for his "feudal mindset." She described Kishor's comments as a personal attack, questioning why she was singled out when there are many other MPs in her party. The Lok Sabha MP said the Jan Suraaj Party chief's allegation showed his "arrogance and ego."
As a third-generation politician, Shambhavi stressed that politics should be about ideologies, not 'personal attacks.'
"First of all, I don't think Prashant Kishor is worth the time ... should spend on. Yes, I do feel it was a personal attack. I come from a political family, and I'm a third-generation politician. One thing I've learned over the years is that politics is a fight between ideologies and not between individuals. Personal attacks should always be avoided. Politics is not a fight between individuals; we fight for the people and for our ideology. Prashant Kishor deliberately raised this issue in a press conference; it wasn't something he mentioned in private. He targeted me over my political background, and I don't understand why," Shambhavi Choudhary told ANI.
Shambhavi emphasised that Kishor's remarks demonstrate his "feudal mindset."
"Is he attacking me because I'm a Dalit? Because I'm a woman? Or because he thinks I'm a scapegoat? If he wanted to criticise the Lok Janshakti Party, there are many MPs he could have chosen. Why only me? Targeting a Dalit woman who is progressing shows a feudal mindset. This kind of attack only reflects his arrogance and ego," Choudhary said.
Shambhavi Choudhary had defeated the Congress party's candidate, Sunny Hazari, by 1,87,251 votes in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. She is a third-generation politician. Her grandfather, late Mahavir Choudhary, represented four assembly constituencies - Rajauli, Jehanabad (SC), Makhdumpur and Barbigha - for eight terms in an illustrious career spanning four decades and also served as minister in Congress governments in Bihar.
Shambhavi's father, Ashok Choudhary, is one of the most influential ministers in Nitish Kumar's cabinet. He had switched to JD(U) from Congress.
Bihar elections are expected to be held later this year in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet announced the dates.
While the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is seeking to retain power, the INDIA bloc, which includes the RJD and Congress, is seeking to oust it. Jan Suraaj, led by Prashant Kishor, is also seeking the mandate of the people.