Political strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party contested the Bihar Assembly Elections for the first time this year. Kishor, who led a long Padayatra and campaigned across the state, managed to draw strong interest from the youth.
However, exit polls suggest that the Jan Suraj Party failed to make a strong impact in its debut election. Most surveys predict the party will win between zero and five seats, while the NDA is expected to retain power in Bihar.
If the NDA does win, it would mean the Jan Suraj Party did not affect its vote base as expected. In that case, Kishor might hope for the MGB’s victory, which would imply that his party indirectly hurt the NDA’s prospects — helping it stay relevant for the next five years.
Many within the party believe Kishor’s decision not to contest himself disappointed supporters and hurt their chances. Media comparisons between Prashant Kishor and Arvind Kejriwal, or between Jan Suraj and AAP, now appear premature.
Political experts, including My Axis India’s Pradip Gupta, recently noted that 90% of Bihar voters still cast votes based on caste — showing how difficult it is to create new political ground in the state.
It remains to be seen whether Prashant Kishor will stay committed to politics or return to his old profession. The election results will be declared tomorrow. If the NDA wins again, it will mark two consecutive victories for the alliance in Bihar.
