Prashant Kishor Launches Jan Suraaj Party, Aims to Transform Bihar Politics

Prashant Kishor, a renowned Indian political strategist and tactician, has officially launched his new political party, Jan Suraaj, on October 2, 2024. This move marks a significant shift in Kishor's career, who has previously worked with various major political parties in India, including the BJP, JD(U), INC, AAP, YSRCP, DMK, and TMC.

Background and Career

Kishor's journey into politics began after an eight-year stint in public health programs funded by the United Nations. He gained prominence for his role in Narendra Modi's 2012 Gujarat Assembly Elections and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, where his innovative campaigns such as Chai Pe Charcha and 3D rallies were instrumental in Modi's victory. Kishor has also worked with other notable leaders, including Nitish Kumar, Amarinder Singh, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, and M. K. Stalin.

Jan Suraaj Party Launch

The Jan Suraaj Party was formally announced in Patna, with Kishor emphasizing the need for a new political alternative in Bihar. This initiative follows a two-year Padyatra across Bihar, during which Kishor engaged with people from various villages and towns to understand their needs and aspirations. The party aims to address the long-standing issues in Bihar, such as education, employment, and governance.

Kishor has expressed confidence that Jan Suraaj will win an absolute majority in the next Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled for 2025. He has ruled out any alliances with other political formations and stated that the party will be led by a Dalit leader. The launch event saw significant participation, with over 2 lakh people attending and many more joining from across the globe, including from the USA and Germany.

Criticism of Current Governance

Kishor has been critical of the current governance in Bihar, particularly targeting the BJP's alliance with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He argued that the BJP is propping up Kumar despite his alleged lack of fitness to govern, solely for political gains. Kishor predicted that the BJP will face a similar downfall in Bihar as the Congress did after supporting Lalu Prasad's regime, citing Kumar's reduced public engagement and silence on key issues like floods and land disputes.

Kishor's Jan Suraaj campaign is focused on creating a new political space that transcends traditional caste and religious divides, aiming to galvanize support based on issues like education and employment. The campaign has already garnered significant support, with over 567,382 people signing up as members.