Patna: Political strategist Prashant Kishor has predicted a triangular battle in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, asserting that the contest will be dominated by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Grand Alliance, and the Jan Suraaj party, while other parties will play a negligible role.
Speaking in Patna, Kishor suggested that the elections could bring significant change to the state. “This election is largely a triangular contest,” he said. “About 95% of the votes will be shared between the NDA, the Grand Alliance, and Jan Suraaj. Other parties will be largely irrelevant.”
Kishor indicated that both the NDA and the Grand Alliance were likely to suffer losses. Drawing on the previous assembly election, he noted that the two alliances collectively received 72% of the votes, leaving 28% of the electorate open to alternative options. “A large section of this 28% is now with us,” he said. “People recognise that our party is a vote-cutter, and we are prepared to embrace that label. If we can cut 10% of the votes from the NDA and the Grand Alliance, we can form the government.”
On his party’s main competition, Kishor acknowledged that while some critics dismiss a third option, his focus remains squarely on the NDA. “The Grand Alliance has aimed for 35% of the votes, with the rest largely with the NDA. Our competition is primarily with the NDA,” he said.
Kishor also praised Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan, noting that he avoids caste-based politics. However, he added that Paswan faces the challenge of contesting elections outside his home constituencies. “We are not certain how many seats he will secure, but our party is ready to contest him wherever he stands,” Kishor said.
