Ahead of the by-elections in Bihar, renowned election strategist and Jan Suraaj Party founder, Prashant Kishor, revealed his hefty consulting fee of Rs 100 crore as an election advisor. Speaking to a crowd in Belaganj on October 31, Kishor underscored his influence across states, claiming that nearly 10 state governments are currently running based on his strategies.
The declaration came as Kishor sought to establish his credibility and financial independence, stating, “Do you think I won’t have enough money to set up tents and canopies for my campaign? Do you think I’m that weak? In Bihar, no one has heard of fees like mine. If I advise someone in just one election, my fee is Rs 100 crore or even more.”
Kishor added that his substantial earnings from election consultations enable him to independently fund Jan Suraaj’s political activities, dismissing any notion of financial constraints on his campaign. “For the next two years, I can continue to fund my campaign with just one such election advice,” he asserted.
The strategist-turned-politician recently urged Biharis to abandon caste-based voting practices and reject “free rations” as motivations, attributing such voting behaviors to Bihar’s continued development challenges. “Give up supporting political parties in the name of ‘jaat’ (caste) and ‘bhaat’ (free ration),” he said, calling for a more issue-driven political landscape in Bihar.
In preparation for the November 13 by-elections, Jan Suraaj has announced its candidates for four assembly seats: Mohammad Amjad (Belaganj), Jitendra Paswan (Imamganj), Sushil Kumar Singh Kushwaha (Ramgarh), and Kiran Singh (Tarari). Results for the by-elections will be declared on November 23.
On October 2, Kishor formally launched the Jan Suraaj Party in Patna. Having received the Election Commission’s nod, the party intends to contest all constituencies in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, with a focus on increased representation for women candidates. Out of 243 seats, Jan Suraaj aims to field 40 women candidates, emphasizing its commitment to gender representation.
Kishor’s new party, having operated informally for two years, is now poised to make a significant mark in Bihar’s political landscape. The full-scale assembly elections in Bihar are anticipated in October-November 2025, marking the Jan Suraaj Party’s first major electoral test.
