As Bihar prepares for the 2025 Assembly elections, Prashant Kishor launches his new party. The big question is, can it make a difference?

Prashant Kishor has entered Bihar politics with a clear message: his role is that of a guide, not a contender for power. “My work is like that of a potter who shapes the best with the right tools. We aim to bring forward the best people in society,” he stated, dismissing speculations about his ambitions for the Chief Minister’s post. He reiterated that his newly launched party, ‘Jansuraj,’ will be run by its members, not him, and he would only contest elections if the party deemed it necessary.

Kishor’s move has stirred the political waters in Bihar. His party’s announcement to contest the upcoming Assembly elections has sparked debates on its potential impact on major alliances, the NDA, and the India Alliance. A former election strategist for both PM Narendra Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Kishor has not aligned with the Congress or the RJD. Some political analysts even suggest that his presence might benefit the BJP by weakening the RJD’s support base, an idea that gained traction following the rally and Muslim unity meeting in Patna.

Despite his history with the BJP, Kishor has not held back from criticising Nitish Kumar’s governance. The Janata Dal (United) (JDU), however, remains firm on its stance, with leaders affirming that Nitish Kumar is still Bihar’s true leader. In a recent meeting, JDU’s acting national president Sanjay Jha dismissed any doubts about Kumar’s relevance, pointing to the party’s resilience despite various narratives circulating before the elections.

Ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections, Kishor has strategically targeted the Muslim and backward caste communities, which represent a significant portion of the electorate—17.7 per cent and 36.1per cent, respectively. He has announced plans to field more candidates from these communities and has emphasised inclusivity by appointing a Dalit as the party’s working president. This move has been seen as a counter to JDU’s longstanding Mahadalit outreach.

Kishor has been preparing the ground for his political venture for the past two years, conducting a ‘padyatra’ across Bihar and engaging with the public through discussions in villages and towns. Drawing on the philosophies of Gandhi and Tagore, he has sought to resonate with the masses, though his stance on lifting the liquor ban has invited criticism for contradicting Gandhian ideals.

The launch of ‘Jansuraj’ represents Kishor’s effort to offer a new political alternative in Bihar. However, significant questions remain: can he address Bihar’s pressing issues such as unemployment and crime? Will his strategies translate into a viable solution for the state’s enduring challenges? As Bihar gears up for the next election, the answers to these questions will determine Kishor’s political fate.

(The writer is a senior journalist; views are personal)