Prashant Kishor Party’s First Election: What Are Surveys Saying?

Prashant Kishor launched the Jan Suraaj Party and is testing his strength in the upcoming Bihar elections. Since October 2022, he has walked through more than 5,500 villages, meeting people directly instead of holding rallies to build personal connections.

For the last five years, no other leader has been as present on the ground as Kishor. The Jan Suraaj Party is contesting all 243 seats on its own for the first time. Pre-poll surveys suggest the party may secure 8–11% of votes, translating into 0–6 seats.

These surveys also show JSP eating into the urban youth vote, which is hurting the Mahagathbandhan (INDIA bloc). The ruling NDA is already battling anti-incumbency, and JSP’s entry could decide the final outcome unless a wave favours one side.

Kishor himself has said JSP will either finish first or last, with no middle ground. A C-Voter survey shows 23% of respondents prefer him as Chief Minister, ahead of Nitish Kumar at 22% and Tejashwi Yadav at 20%. His support has risen steadily from 14% in February 2025 and 21% in August.

For a debut party, even a third-place finish is a solid start. What matters next is whether Kishor can hold firm without giving in. If he does, JSP could evolve into a serious third force by the next election.

The Election Commission is expected to announce the Bihar Assembly election schedule next week. Polling is likely in two or three phases in November, with counting between November 15 and 20, before the assembly’s term ends on November 22, 2025.