Date: November 25, 2024
Prashant Kishor Jan Suraaj Party Fails to Make an Impact in Bihar
Jan Suraaj’s Disappointing Start in Bihar Politics
Prashant Kishor, a celebrated poll strategist and psephologist known for his pivotal role in the success of many political parties, faced an unexpected setback on his home turf, Bihar. His newly launched political party, Jan Suraaj, failed to make a mark in its electoral debut during the recent bypolls.
Despite Kishor’s reputation as a master strategist, the party contested four constituencies—Ramgarh, Tarari, Belaganj, and Imamganj—but failed to secure a victory or even a second-place finish. This outcome raises questions about the party’s readiness to compete in Bihar’s political landscape.
Electoral Performance in Four Constituencies
In the Bihar bypolls, Jan Suraaj fielded candidates in four assembly segments, but the results were far from encouraging:
- Ramgarh: Sushil Kumar Singh garnered only 6,513 votes and finished fourth.
- Tarari: Kiran Singh managed just 5,592 votes, also placing fourth.
- Imamganj: Jitendra Paswan stood third with 37,103 votes, unable to challenge the winners.
- Belaganj: Mohammad Amjad secured 17,285 votes, finishing third.
While the BJP clinched victories in Ramgarh and Tarari, the JDU and Hindustani Awam Morcha won Belaganj and Imamganj, respectively.
A Tough Reality Check for Prashant Kishor
For a strategist with a proven track record in crafting successful campaigns, the results are a harsh reality check. Despite extensive groundwork over the past two years and a formal launch of the Jan Suraaj party in October, Kishor’s candidates failed to gain traction among voters.
This lackluster performance highlights the challenges of transitioning from being a behind-the-scenes strategist to a political leader. It also underscores the difficulty of establishing a new party in a state dominated by established political forces.
Looking Ahead: Prashant Kishor Plans for 2025
Despite this early setback, Prashant Kishor remains optimistic about Jan Suraaj’s prospects in the 2025 Bihar general elections. He is determined to strengthen the party’s grassroots presence. Currently, he is conducting extensive meetings and outreach programs to rebuild the party from the ground up.
Kishor has expressed confidence that Jan Suraaj can emerge as a significant player in Bihar’s political arena by addressing issues directly affecting the people. However, overcoming the initial failure will require an effective strategy, strong leadership, and a deep connection with voters.
Conclusion
Prashant Kishor’s entry into electoral politics through Jan Suraaj has been anything but smooth. The poor performance in the bypolls is a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. While Kishor’s reputation as a poll strategist is intact, translating that success into electoral victories will be a steep climb. With time and effort, Jan Suraaj may yet carve a niche in Bihar’s politics, but the road to 2025 will undoubtedly be challenging.