Patna: Prashant Kishor’s three-year effort to reshape Bihar’s politics appears to have hit a wall, with early trends on counting day showing his Jan Suraaj party failing to secure a single lead. The former poll strategist’s claim of offering a fresh political alternative has yet to translate into any measurable electoral gains.
While the Election Commission of India’s official data has shown no leads for Jan Suraaj, television channels briefly reported the party ahead in up to four constituencies by 9.30am. Among these early claims was Jan Suraaj’s Kargahar candidate and Bhojpuri actor Ritesh Pandey, who was said to be leading in the first couple of hours. By 10.30am, however, all reported leads had disappeared.
Jan Suraaj’s Electoral Bid
Jan Suraaj fielded candidates in 238 of the 243 Assembly seats, including social media personalities such as Bhojpuri singer Ritesh Pandey and YouTuber Manish Kashyap. Kishor, who built his movement through an extensive padayatra followed by large campaign rallies, pitched his party as a disruptor, promising to curb migration, overhaul education and revisit the state’s liquor ban.
Throughout the campaign, Kishor maintained that Jan Suraaj would either “win more than 150 seats or fewer than 10”, a remark he framed as evidence of the party’s ambition and ideological clarity. But political analysts say several factors contributed to the party’s apparent electoral collapse.
Why Jan Suraaj Could Not Make a Mark
One recurring criticism is Kishor’s decision not to contest the election himself. Early speculation that he might challenge RJD leader and chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav in Raghopur faded after he ultimately chose not to enter the fray. Analysts also argue that the Jan Suraaj movement lost momentum as the election approached, struggling to convert mobilisation into votes.
Despite the disappointing trends, Kishor has insisted he will continue his political project in Bihar. Responding to exit poll forecasts earlier this week, he said he remained committed to the state. “I personally have nothing much to lose. I put my entire life for the betterment of Bihar, but if people want to stay in the present conditions, it is their choice,” he said.
