The escalating feud between Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor and Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary has reached a new crescendo, with both sides engaging in a bitter war of allegations and legal notices ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. The conflict deepened significantly on September 24, 2025, when Jan Suraaj released what he claimed to be documentary evidence supporting corruption charges against the JD(U) minister.
Latest Developments: Evidence vs Legal Action
Jan Suraaj’s Counter-Attack with Documents
Following Choudhary’s ₹100 crore defamation notice sent on September 22, 2025, Jan Suraaj Party escalated the conflict by presenting detailed documentary evidence at a press conference on September 24, 2025. The party’s state president, Manoj Bharti, declared, “When Prashant Kishor accused Ashok Choudhary of corruption, the ruling party demanded proof. Today, we are presenting that proof”.
Key Evidence Presented by Jan Suraaj:
-
Property transactions worth ₹7 crore by Choudhary’s wife, Neeta Keskar Choudhary, in 2021-2022
-
Two separate property deals with builders Dilip Mittal and Rakesh Agarwal
-
Deed numbers 2939 and 4640 showing different identities used in transactions
-
Land transfers involving Choudhary’s personal assistant Yogendra Dutt and daughter Shambhavi
The ₹100 Crore Defamation Notice
Choudhary’s legal team, led by lawyer Kumar Anjaneya Shanu, served the notice demanding either proof of allegations or an unconditional public apology within one week. The notice accuses Kishor of making “wild, frivolous and defamatory allegations” that have caused “irreparable harm” to Choudhary’s reputation.
Notice Highlights:
-
Damages sought: ₹100 crore civil suit threat
-
Deadline: One week from receipt
-
Requirements: Public apology in a press conference or legal proof
-
Background: References a previous defamation case from June 2025
Detailed Corruption Allegations
Property Acquisition Pattern:
Jan Suraaj’s state general secretary, Kishore Kumar presented evidence of systematic property acquisitions:
-
₹7 crore purchases by Neeta Keskar Choudhary using different identities
-
Manav Vaibhav Vikas Trust transactions worth over ₹100 crore market value, purchased at ₹47 crore
-
Strategic timing around daughter Shambhavi’s engagement and marriage to Sayan Kunal
Specific Allegations:
-
23 kathas of land in Patna’s Bikram area bought through PA Yogendra Dutt in 2019
-
Transfer to daughter Shambhavi in 2021 for ₹34 lakh (far below market value)
-
Suspicious payments, including ₹25 lak,h afteran income tax notice
Family Involvement and Legal Troubles
Neeta Keskar Choudhary’s Cases:
-
Punjab National Bank fraud case pending in the Supreme Court involving ₹3 crore
-
Dual identity usage in property transactions to conceal connections
-
Bank account transfers from Shambhavi’s account when she was still studying
Prashant Kishor’s Defiant Response
Kishor responded with characteristic defiance, announcing preparations for a “third instalment” of revelations against Choudhary. Speaking to the media on September 24, he dismissed the legal notice, saying: “Ashok Choudhary sent a two-page notice through his lawyer as if he has become bigger than the Supreme Court. Let him prepare a third notice too, because I am coming with my third instalment against him”.
Kishor’s Stance:
-
No fear of defamation cases: “I am not a sand mafia or involved in the liquor trade that I would bow down”
-
Court challenge: “We will fight from here to the Supreme Court”
-
Additional evidence promised: Preparation of more documentary proof
Political Ramifications and Electoral Impact
NDA’s Defensive Position:
The controversy has put the ruling NDA alliance on the defensive, with BJP maintaining silence on allegations against their coalition partner. This silence contrasts sharply with BJP’s anti-corruption rhetoric, potentially damaging their credibility.
Jan Suraaj’s Strategic Advantage:
The conflict has positioned Prashant Kishor as a fearless anti-corruption crusader, potentially boosting Jan Suraaj’s electoral prospects among voters seeking change.
Court Proceedings and Legal Timeline
Multiple Cases in Motion:
-
September 17, 2025: Court hearing for previous defamation case
-
October 17, 2025: Kishor summoned to appear before Patna Chief Judicial Magistrate
-
Ongoing: Supreme Court case involving Neeta Keskar Choudhary’s fraud allegations
Counter-Allegations from BJP
Adding another dimension to the conflict, BJP spokesperson Kuntal Krishna launched counter-accusations against Kishor on September 24, questioning his ₹9 crore property purchase in Patna in December 2024. Krishna demanded transparency about funding sources for Kishor’s political activities.
Appeal to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
Jan Suraaj has directly appealed to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to take action against Choudhary, demanding either his resignation or dismissal. The party warned of approaching courts if no action is taken.
The “Newton’s Third Law” Political Dynamic
Political analysts are describing the Kishor-Choudhary conflict as embodying Newton’s third law in politics – every action having an equal and opposite reaction. Each corruption allegation from Kishor triggers a legal counter-attack from Choudhary, creating an escalating spiral of accusations and legal notices.
Looking Ahead: Electoral Implications
As Bihar prepares for assembly elections later in 2025, this high-profile clash represents more than personal animosity – it symbolises the broader battle between established political elites and emerging anti-establishment forces. The outcome of these legal battles and public perception of the evidence could significantly influence voter preferences in what promises to be a closely contested election.
The conflict has transformed from personal accusations to a full-scale political warfare, with both sides now committed to a fight that could reshape Bihar’s political landscape. With Kishor promising more revelations and Choudhary pursuing aggressive legal action, the intensity of this confrontation is likely to increase in the coming weeks, making it a defining issue for the upcoming electoral battle.
