Prashant Kishor, known as a political strategist for parties including the BJP and the DMK, is now seeking an electoral mandate in Bihar. He launched his own outfit, Jan Suraaj, in 2024.
In the Bihar Assembly election held last year, Jan Suraaj contested all 243 constituencies but failed to win even one seat. The party secured only 3.3% of the vote and lost deposits in 236 constituencies, while Kishor himself did not contest.
Kishor has now entered the fray in the Bangipur Assembly constituency in Patna, where a by-election is scheduled for July 30. The seat fell vacant after BJP MLA Nitin Nabin became the party’s national president and also entered the Rajya Sabha.
The contest has drawn attention after the BJP’s initially announced candidate suddenly withdrew his nomination, causing a surprise for the party, though a replacement candidate has since been named. Kishor has said the episode reflects internal issues in the BJP and has expressed confidence of victory.
With Bihar elections often shaped by caste-based voting, the BJP candidate is from the Kayastha community, described as a dominant backward group in the constituency, while Kishor is not from the majority group. The outcome will be known when results are declared on August 3.
