In a move that surprised many political observers, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Wednesday announced that he will not be contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Speaking to PTI, Kishor said the decision was made collectively within the party to ensure focus remains on its long-term organisational growth rather than on his personal campaign.
“It was a decision we took in the larger interest of the party. If I were to contest, it would have distracted me from the necessary organisational work,” he told PTI, adding that the choice was neither impulsive nor imposed.
A twist in Raghopur, No Kishor vs Tejashwi face-off
The announcement ends weeks of speculation about a potential high-profile contest between Prashant Kishor and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav in Raghopur. Instead, the Jan Suraaj Party has fielded local businessman Chanchal Singh from the constituency.
Kishor explained that the decision was rooted in strategic thinking. “Our fight is not against one person or one party. We are fighting for a different model of governance and politics in Bihar,” he said.
He also reiterated his belief that the upcoming polls will be a defining moment for Bihar’s political landscape. “If Jan Suraaj Party wins the Bihar polls, it will have a nationwide impact. The compass of national politics will point in a different direction,” Kishor asserted.
Win big or lose completely, says Kishor
In his candid remarks, Kishor admitted that the party’s performance will either be a resounding success or a complete washout. “I can say with certainty that I expect a tally of either fewer than 10 seats or more than 150 seats. There is no possibility of anything in between,” he told PTI in an exclusive interview.
When asked whether his party would support the NDA or INDIA bloc in the event of a hung assembly, Kishor dismissed the possibility altogether. “A tally less than 150, even if it is 120 or 130, shall be a defeat for me,” he said, adding that Jan Suraaj will continue its “samaj aur sadak ki rajneeti” which when translated means politics rooted in the street and society, if denied a full mandate.
The Jan Suraaj Party has so far released three candidate lists. Polling for Bihar’s 243 Assembly seats will be held on November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14.
