Patna: Manish Kashyap, social media influencer and political aspirant, has announced his resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), declaring that he can no longer pursue his fight for Bihar’s interests from within the party.
Kashyap made the announcement during a live broadcast on Facebook, where he also posted a formal resignation message. “I, Manish Kashyap, am no longer a member of the BJP,” he said. “I have decided that I must fight for Bihar and for Biharis. I must fight to stop migration from the state — something I have always raised, even while in the party.”
He added that after visiting his constituency, Chanpatia in West Champaran district, and meeting local residents, he had reached the conclusion that remaining with the BJP would not allow him to speak freely on these issues.
“Now I feel that I will not be able to raise all these matters properly while staying in the party,” he said. “Many people may be happy with this decision, many may be sad. But I was forced to take it.”
Kashyap, a controversial figure who has built a substantial online following, insisted that ambition was not behind his move. “Some say Manish Kashyap is ambitious. But I am not. If I were, I would have disrupted their game by contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.”
Turning to this year’s Bihar assembly polls, Kashyap left open the possibility of contesting, though he remained non-committal about his platform. “Where should I contest elections, from which party, or should I contest independently? You tell me,” he said, appealing to his supporters for guidance. He reiterated that he would continue to raise his voice on issues such as the poor state of Bihar’s health services.
Kashyap also pledged to conduct his campaign and public commentary within limits. “I am not against any individual,” he said. “I am against the chair from which some people are looting Bihar. I will bring many stories to light. I apologise to those who are disappointed — I was a member of the BJP for one year and one month, and I thank everyone for their support.”
He further stressed that he would not engage in personal attacks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I will never speak one-sidedly against PM Modi,” he said. “He was a successful Prime Minister yesterday, he is today, and will remain so in the future.”
However, he urged the central government to deliver on long-standing demands for the state. “I want a sugar mill for Bihar — please give it to us. I want better hospitals — if you don’t provide them, I will try to make my voice heard,” he said.
Kashyap’s resignation comes amid growing speculation over potential candidates and alliances ahead of the Bihar assembly elections later this year. His next political move, whether on his own or with a new party, will be closely watched.
