Kishor emphasizes the party’s focus on its candidates over personal ambitions in upcoming elections.
Prashant Kishor, the founder of Jan Suraaj and a former political strategist, has declared that he will not participate in the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections. This announcement was made on Wednesday, as reported by PTI. Kishor stated that this decision was made in the interest of the party’s ‘greater good’ and reflects a strategic choice intended to benefit the overall campaign.
In an interview with the news agency, Kishor elaborated on the rationale behind his decision. He mentioned that it was agreed upon within the party that he should focus on the ongoing work for Jan Suraaj rather than diverting attention to his own candidacy. He expressed concern that if he were to run, the potential loss of two to five days could negatively impact the prospects of other candidates fielded by the party.
The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled to take place in two phases, with voting set for November 6 and 11, followed by the counting of votes on November 14. Just a month prior, on October 7, Kishor had initially indicated his intention to contest the elections, asserting that Jan Suraaj aimed to gain the support of the 28% of voters who did not back either the National Democratic Alliance or the Opposition INDIA bloc in the previous electoral cycle.
During his recent statement, Kishor articulated that for Jan Suraaj, securing fewer than 150 seats would constitute a defeat. He underscored the importance of achieving significant victories, saying that even a tally of 120 or 130 seats would not meet his expectations. Kishor emphasized that a strong performance in the elections would provide the party with a mandate to initiate transformative changes in Bihar, aspiring to position the state among the ten most advanced in the country.
Kishor also indicated that the outcome of the elections would hold implications beyond Bihar, suggesting that a victory for Jan Suraaj could shift the dynamics of national politics. He expressed confidence that success in the state would lead to a reorientation of political priorities at the national level.
Jan Suraaj was officially launched by Kishor in Patna in October 2024, with the aim of establishing a cohesive alternative party that addresses the needs and aspirations of Bihar’s citizens. As the elections approach, Kishor’s decision to focus on the party’s collective efforts rather than his individual candidacy reflects a commitment to its broader goals and the political landscape in Bihar.
