Patna, October 16, 2025 – In a major political development just weeks before the Bihar Assembly elections, poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor announced on Wednesday that he will not be a candidate in the upcoming polls. The founder of the Jan Suraaj party has decided to focus on building his organization and campaigning for its candidates across the state. This decision puts an end to widespread speculation that he would make his electoral debut by challenging prominent leaders.
The announcement came as a surprise to many. It was widely expected that Kishor might contest from Raghopur. This is the constituency of Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. Another possibility was his home constituency of Kargahar. However, the Jan Suraaj party has now named other candidates for these seats. Chanchal Singh will be the party’s face in Raghopur.
Speaking to the media about his decision, Kishor stated that it was made in the “larger interest of the party.” He explained that if he were to contest from a single seat, his attention would be divided. He believes his time is better spent strengthening the Jan Suraaj party across all 243 constituencies in Bihar. “The party has decided that I should not contest the assembly polls since I have a lot of responsibilities on my shoulder,” Kishor said. He added that campaigning for himself would take away valuable time from supporting other Jan Suraaj candidates.
This move is being seen as a strategic choice by Kishor. He is known for his calculated political strategies. By not contesting, he positions himself as a leader focused on statewide change rather than personal victory. Some political analysts believe this could also be a way to avoid a high-stakes personal battle that could distract from his party’s broader message. A loss in his first election could have been a significant setback for the “Prashant Kishor brand.”
Jan Suraaj Sets an Ambitious Goal
Even though its leader is not running, the Jan Suraaj party is entering the election with high ambitions. Prashant Kishor has set a lofty target for his party. He has declared that winning anything less than 150 seats would be considered a “defeat” for him. “I can say with certainty that we will either win handsomely or receive a drubbing,” Kishor said in a recent interview. He has ruled out the possibility of a hung assembly, suggesting that the people of Bihar will give a clear mandate.
This bold proclamation has been met with a mix of intrigue and skepticism from other political parties. Leaders from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan have been quick to react. Some have called his target unrealistic for a new party. Others have dismissed Jan Suraaj as a “vote-cutter” that will not have a significant impact. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a dig at Kishor, suggesting that the “businessman” in him realized the ground situation was not in his favor. Leaders from the Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have also downplayed his influence.
The Long Road to the Election: The Padayatra
Prashant Kishor’s political journey in Bihar has been a long and arduous one. For the past several months, he has been on a “padayatra” or foot march across the state. This long march has taken him to numerous villages and towns in almost every district of Bihar. The stated aim of the padayatra was to understand the problems of the people at the grassroots level. Kishor has spoken to thousands of people, from farmers and laborers to students and women.
During his journey, he has been highly critical of the current political establishment in Bihar. He has consistently attacked both Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav. Kishor argues that their long rule has left Bihar as one of the most backward states in the country. He has promised a new model of governance focused on development, employment, and social justice. The padayatra has been the main platform for him to spread his message and build a network of supporters. It is this groundwork that he hopes will translate into votes for his Jan Suraaj candidates.
Kishor’s Vision for Bihar
Prashant Kishor and his Jan Suraaj party are campaigning on a platform of complete political transformation. He has promised to bring a new generation of clean and honest leaders to the forefront. His party’s candidates have been selected through a process that he claims is more democratic than that of traditional parties. He has often said that the people themselves have chosen the candidates during his padayatra.
Kishor’s vision for Bihar includes a detailed development plan. He has spoken about reviving the state’s agriculture sector, improving education and healthcare, and creating jobs for the youth. He believes that with the right policies and political will, Bihar can shed its image of a poor and underdeveloped state. He aims to make Bihar one of the top ten developed states in the country within the next ten years.
The Upcoming Electoral Battle
The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and November 11, 2025. The counting of votes will take place on November 14. The political atmosphere in the state is highly charged. The main contest is expected to be between the ruling NDA, which includes the BJP and JD(U), and the Mahagathbandhan, which is led by the RJD and includes the Congress and other smaller parties.
The entry of Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party has added a new dimension to this contest. While it remains to be seen how many seats his party will win, it is clear that he has created a buzz in Bihar politics. His constant attacks on the established leaders have resonated with a section of the population that is tired of the old style of politics.
With Prashant Kishor now taking on the role of a chief strategist and campaigner for his party, the coming weeks will be crucial. His political acumen will be put to the test as he tries to convert the public interest he has generated into a significant number of seats in the Bihar Assembly. The people of Bihar will ultimately decide if they are ready for the “new system” that Prashant Kishor is promising.
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