Patna: Prashant Kishor has launched a sharp attack on the BJP–JD(U)-led NDA, accusing it of using “unfair means” to secure its sweeping victory in the Bihar assembly elections. Appearing in public for the first time since his newly formed Jan Suraaj party was wiped out, Kishor alleged that unprecedented levels of state money were pumped into pre-poll cash transfers, including the widely discussed Das-Hazari scheme.
Kishor claimed that Rs 40,000 crore was promised or disbursed during the election period, describing it as “the first time in Bihar that a government has promised to spend such an amount in an election”.
Kishor alleged that Rs 10,000 was transferred to 62,000 women under Das-Hazari, and separate funds were given to anganwadi workers, ASHA and Mamta workers, migrant labourers and tola sevaks. “People will not sacrifice their children’s future for Rs 10,000,” he said, claiming the transfers were tactical rather than transformative. He argued that the NDA’s decisive victory was a direct outcome of these transfers.
He questioned the credibility of some results, citing the Madhubani seat as an example. “A candidate from Upendra Kushwaha’s party won by nearly one lakh votes. I can say with confidence that most people in Madhubani do not even know the party’s symbol. Similar incidents are visible across the state,” he said.
Kishor admits defeat but insists Jan Suraaj will continue
Kishor conceded that Jan Suraaj — which contested nearly all seats but failed to win any — failed to connect with voters. “Our three-year movement did not resonate. People have accepted the NDA. Now the NDA and Nitish Kumar must fulfil the promises made before the election,” he said.
He said he would remain in Bihar and continue acting as “the voice of the people”, even without a single MLA. “If the Nitish government does not fulfil its promises, people can come to Jan Suraaj. We will raise our voice on the streets,” he said. Kishor also announced a phone number- -9121691216 on which people can call and complain about not getting the remaining money under the scheme.
#WATCH पटना, बिहार | जन सुराज के संस्थापक प्रशांत किशोर ने कहा, “…हमने ईमानदार प्रयास किया है और उसमें बिल्कुल सफलता नहीं मिली। इसे स्वीकार करने में कोई बुराई नहीं है। व्यवस्था परिवर्तन की बात छोड़िए, हम सत्ता परिवर्तन भी नहीं करा सके। लेकिन बिहार की राजनीति बदलने में हमारी… pic.twitter.com/giQRi97IRM
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) November 18, 2025
‘I stand by my statement’
Addressing his earlier remark that he would “leave politics” if Nitish Kumar crossed 25 seats, Kishor said the comment no longer applied. “Which post should I leave? I don’t hold any political position. I don’t do politics. I speak for the people of Bihar — how can I stop? Besides, the cash transfer of Rs 10,000 to women was not made a tool by NDA to buy votes back then” he said.
However, he reiterated a conditional promise: “If the government gives Rs 2 lakh each to 1.5 crore women within six months, I will leave politics.”
Appeal for a “clean cabinet”
Kishor urged Nitish Kumar not to induct “corrupt or tainted leaders” into the new government. “Nitish Kumar is largely considered honest. He should keep good people with him, not corrupt people. We haven’t given you a mandate to loot while in power.”
Despite Jan Suraaj’s electoral failure, Kishor asserted that the movement would continue: “We will introspect, but we will not step back. We will fight with double the zeal for the rights of Bihar.”
