Prashant Kishor has yet to officially unveil his political party, but he has already committed to contesting all Vidhan Sabha seats in Bihar in the 2025 Assembly elections. He is confident that his party will secure a full majority without forming any alliances.
Despite his ambitious plans, several key questions remain: How will Kishor navigate Bihar’s entrenched caste politics? How will he challenge established leaders like Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav with his new party? And what underpins his confidence in winning the upcoming state elections?
Bihar’s political arena is deeply influenced by caste dynamics. Kishor’s platform, which emphasizes people’s welfare, education, employment, and the issues faced by migrant workers, has deliberately avoided caste-based rhetoric. This has led some to question whether his message will resonate with voters in the 2025 elections.
Political analyst and former Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Varma highlighted the significance of Kishor’s approach. In an interview Varma explained that while caste politics has been a powerful tool for Bihar’s political leaders, Kishor’s emphasis on broad, inclusive issues could be transformative. “Kishor’s message of change and improvement transcends caste. He’s urging voters to support policies that will benefit them, regardless of the candidates’ backgrounds,” Varma said.
Varma noted the substantial support Kishor has received, with large crowds attending his rallies. He believes that Kishor’s forthcoming ‘Jan Suraaj’ party has the potential to perform well based on its message of transformation and the widespread appeal of its platform.
In a May interview with a news channel, Kishor drew a parallel with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that Modi’s electoral success is not solely due to his caste but to his broader appeal and effective representation. Kishor plans to field candidates from diverse backgrounds, aiming to reflect Bihar’s varied society and move beyond traditional caste-based politics.
Kishor’s strategy appears to involve mobilizing a diverse electorate by focusing on development and systemic change, rather than relying on caste-based politics. His confidence in winning the 2025 elections is rooted in this broader, inclusive approach and his ability to connect with voters across different communities.
