Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor’s decision not to contest in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections has come as a major surprise and a move that will recaliberate the political equations in the state.
Prashant Kishor announced his decision to stay away from the electoral fray, stating that if he contested the polls, it could be detrimental to other candidates. “If I contest the elections, many Jan Suraaj candidates could suffer. Therefore, in the best interests of the party, I have been given the responsibility to continue the work I am doing,” Kishor said.
What’s Kishor’s strategy?
Prashant Kishor, who began his election campaign by claiming to deliver an "Amethi-like defeat" to Tejashwi Yadav, was initially scheduled to contest from Raghopur. Instead, the party sprung a surprise on Tuesday when it nominated Chanchal Singh for the constituency. The announcement was made by party’s national president, Uday Singh, who also handed over the party’s election symbol to Chanchal Singh.
The Raghopur seat is in the limelight for another major reason: it is RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav’s bastion. And, Kishor was expected to give Tejashwi a tight fight with the political strategist-turned-politician, even boasting that he could unseat Tejashwi.
Naturally, Kishor’s move to opt out of the fray has triggered speculations about what his ‘strategy’ is. Many suspect that Kishor’s decision had something to do with Tejashwi. While many cite the possibility of a secret pact, others claim the presence of Tejashwi could have prompted Kishor to rethink his strategy.
However, political experts also believe that Kishor has made a strategic move as he realises that he is just building the support base, and entering the fray himself would be a risky move without a strong organisation. Therefore, he has first focused on establishing the party as a strong alternative.
Political analysts also believe that while Kishor’s decision to contest the elections after challenging Tejashwi might seem like a retreat, it could also be preparation for a long battle. He is aware that the victory in Bihar politics is not just about seats but about changing mindsets too.
