‘CJP silent on Punjab, Congress-ruled states’: Ravi Shankar Prasad

'CJP silent on Punjab, Congress-ruled states': Ravi Shankar Prasad I don't minimise his (Prashant Kishor's) victory (in Bankipur).

Key points

• 4 min read Patna Sep 9, 2026 04: 31 AM IST First published on: Sep 9, 2026 at 04: 28 AM IST.
• In 2008, the NDA did particularly poorly in Assembly bypolls, but we bounced back (in the 2010 Assembly polls, winning 206 of 243 seats).
• Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008.
• * The Congress targeted the BJP over the "purification" of a venue in Haldwani in Uttarakhand where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a rally.
• * Two BJP allies, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan, have been sparring over quota sub-categorisation.

Former Union Minister, senior BJP leader, and Patna Sahib MP Ravi Shankar Prasad speaks to The Indian Express regarding the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the Haldwani "purification" row, Prashant Kishor and his win from Bankipur. Excerpts.

* The Congress targeted the BJP over the "purification" of a venue in Haldwani in Uttarakhand where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a rally. Subsequently, an FIR was registered against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

One must understand one basic difficulty of Rahul Gandhi. It is the source of all the difficulties. He thinks that 'I have to govern' determines all his political moves. It keeps erupting from time to time. The second difficulty is that Rahul Gandhi does not do his homework. Someone gives him a chit of paper and he throws the matter. But he doesn't stick to the matter, be it caste census or SIR (special intensive revision of electoral rolls). I am sorry to say that as LoP, he is beginning to come off as a non-serious politician. Individuals expect seriousness (from a person who holds such a post).

* But what regarding the FIR?

One person from the Valmiki community has obtained the FIR registered. There was no caste angle to it.

* Isn't Rahul Gandhi receiving a lot of traction, especially his "Chhatron ki Goonj" campaign?

He keeps moving on (from problems). At times, we see him with a trolley suitcase in his hand. He discussions concerning 'goonj (echo)'. There must be some substance and it has to be contrasted with what Congress governments in Telangana, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh are doing. 'Goonj' cannot be raised in isolation. But Rahul Gandhi has developed some earnestness in his political campaigns. * What is your view on the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)?

I come from an activism background (JP Movement). There must be a proper agenda and there must be a leader. I am seeing one thing particularly clearly: the Prime Minister himself is addressing a lot of worries of the youth. All of us are engaged and engagement should not be a difficulty. Notably, a view should be heard and measures should be taken. But the CJP cannot become a panacea for all challenges. The CJP is conspicuously silent regarding difficulties in Punjab and Congress-ruled states. They need to be objective.

* Two BJP allies, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan, have been sparring over quota sub-categorisation. Where does the party stand?

I am sure they will settle it. It will be settled properly.

* Do the BJP's loss in Bankipur and Prashant Kishor's win signal a shift in Bihar politics?

I want to reiterate that I did not create the remark attributed to me (Kishor alleged on the campaign trail that Prasad had stated that even a cat or dog could win the seat). That is not my sanskar (values). A conscious and deliberate misreporting was done. I can offer examples from recent history. In 2008, the NDA did particularly poorly in Assembly bypolls, but we bounced back (in the 2010 Assembly polls, winning 206 of 243 seats). I don't minimise his (Kishor's) victory. There could be NEET and some other factors. But this (BJP's loss) cannot be the benchmark for re-orientation in Bihar politics. Having seen Bihar politics for a long time, I can say that it takes years of hard work to win people's trust.

* The Congress has raised questions regarding the 7.8% GDP expansion.

This is a completely misconceived and factually incorrect narrative. If the Congress is relying on a disgruntled former finance secretary, I can only say that it is bereft of ideas. The IMF, World Bank, and Reserve Bank of India have confirmed the country's expansion story. This expansion story is a powerful and befitting reply to Rahul Gandhi. This person had called the Indian economy a 'dead economy'. © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd.

Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008. Exper.

For now, 'CJP silent on Punjab, Congress-ruled states': Ravi Shankar Prasad remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.