Choosing his home state of Bihar as the proving ground for his direct political foray, Prashant Kishor has embarked on a bold experiment.
Published Aug 01, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 01, 2025 | 8:00 AM
Political strategist and Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor.
Synopsis: As the Bihar elections draw near, PK’s “Jan Suraaj experiment” promises good governance, with its success determining his political future. A strong performance could see JSP emulate the Aam Aadmi Party’s expansion beyond its home state, leveraging Prashant Kishor’s experience across India to make inroads elsewhere.
A well-known Telangana proverb declares, “It’s not enough to merely speak; one must toil.” Sitting on the sidelines and offering advice —“not like that, like this”—is a skill many possess.
Yet, as the proverb suggests, true progress in agriculture comes only when one steps into the field and tills the soil. Similarly, in politics, strategising from behind the scenes is one thing, but leading a party into the electoral fray, securing public support, and achieving tangible results is an entirely different challenge.
Prashant Kishor, widely known as PK, has long been a mastermind behind political campaigns, crafting strategies for other parties, executing them, shrugging off failures, and claiming credit for successes. Now, as he steps into the spotlight with his party, the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, the stakes are higher than ever.
Can PK, who has raised new issues, sparked debates, and captured media attention, win the hearts of Bihar’s voters? Can he prevail against the formidable political alliances of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Mahagathbandhan in a state known for its seasoned electorate? These questions loom large, stirring the minds of many.
Given that this is Bihar—a state that commands nationwide attention—such curiosity is only natural.
The entry of behind-the-scenes strategists like PK into the public arena has ignited widespread interest in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Known across India as a master election strategist, PK is now testing his political fortunes with JSP, a party barely a year old, in a state dominated by entrenched political giants.
The ruling NDA, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), faces off against the opposition Mahagathbandhan, a coalition of the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Into this fiercely competitive landscape steps in JSP as a third force, aiming to carve out a space in Bihar’s complex political tapestry. The state’s long history of seasoned political parties, whether operating independently or in coalitions, poses a formidable challenge for a fledgling party like JSP. The upcoming elections will determine whether PK’s new venture can gain traction among Bihar’s voters.
Adding fuel to the electoral fire is a controversy surrounding the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, which has sparked significant debate. Allegations abound that the process, involving the removal of six to seven million votes—belonging to deceased individuals, migrants, or those with duplicate registrations—favours the ruling establishment. The RJD has even threatened to boycott the elections if the process continues unchecked. The Election Commission, however, remains steadfast in its efforts. The impact of this controversy on the elections and their outcomes remains to be seen.
PK’s reputation as a successful election strategist precedes him, with a track record of steering campaigns to victory across India. Choosing his home state of Bihar as the proving ground for his direct political foray, PK has embarked on a bold experiment. His name first gained national prominence alongside Narendra Modi’s, with PK’s strategies contributing to Modi’s rise from Gujarat’s Chief Minister to a dominant figure in national politics. As a strategist for the BJP during the 2012 Gujarat Assembly elections and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, PK demonstrated his prowess.
However, ideological differences with the BJP led him to work with various parties, including the Congress, across different states. Despite ambitions to enter politics directly through the Congress, his plans did not materialise as envisioned. Later, joining JD(U) and rising to a prominent position within the party, PK still found success elusive. Undeterred, he launched JSP on 2 October 2024—Gandhi Jayanti—a symbolic date signaling his intent to reshape Bihar’s political landscape.
In the four by-elections held in Bihar shortly after JSP’s formation, the party contested but achieved modest results, securing third place in three constituencies and fourth in one. Now, as the Assembly elections approach, PK is preparing to deploy JSP with full force, armed with every strategic tool at his disposal. Yet, the ground realities suggest that competing against the entrenched NDA and Mahagathbandhan coalitions will be no easy feat.
PK’s campaign narrative accuses national parties like the BJP and Congress, alongside regional heavyweights JD(U) and RJD, of stunting Bihar’s progress. Through statewide foot marches, JSP is striving to connect with the public, gaining some traction in urban areas and among intellectuals and youth.
However, the critical question remains: will this goodwill translate into votes? PK’s past association with the BJP and its Hindutva ideology may pose challenges in a state where emotive issues can sway voters. Positioning JSP as a secular party, PK is focusing on themes of Bihar’s pride and development, sidestepping religious rhetoric. Slogans like “Modi’s glory” and “India as a global superpower” from the BJP/NDA are being countered with localised appeals to “Bihar Pride” and calls for “Bihar Badlaav” (Change Bihar). By emphasising local decision-making over dependence on Delhi’s high command—a hallmark of national parties like the BJP—JSP aims to present itself as a truly regional force.
However, as a new party, JSP faces significant hurdles in connecting with the masses. The NDA has already won over various sections of society through central schemes like PM Kisan for farmers, Ujjwala Gas for women, and Ayushman Bharat for healthcare. JSP is working to highlight flaws in the implementation of these schemes, while the Mahagathbandhan is generating buzz with promises of new welfare initiatives. The success of JSP’s strategies and promises will determine whether it can compete with these established coalitions. As a party appealing to the youth and offering hope, JSP’s future hinges on the public’s reception of its proposed welfare schemes.
The BJP and RJD boast of robust organisational structures and grassroots presence across Bihar. JSP, claiming a membership of 10 million, is actively engaging voters through foot marches while simultaneously strengthening its organizational framework. The BJP benefits from the RSS’s grassroots campaigning and a strong social media presence, while the RJD’s deep-rooted cadre in every village enables large-scale mobilization. For a new party like JSP, confronting these giants requires innovative strategies, the details of which remain a subject of keen interest.
Young leaders like Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD and Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) are making significant inroads in Bihar’s political scene. Tejashwi’s campaigns on unemployment and migration resonate strongly with the youth, backed by ambitious welfare promises. Chirag, a Union Minister, is contesting independently, aiming to bolster his party’s organisational and political strength.
Meanwhile, the BJP lags in promoting young leadership, and JD(U) is making last-minute efforts to project figures like Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, and former IAS officer Manish Verma. JSP, despite its appeal among the youth, must strategize to attract and nurture young leaders to remain competitive.
As the Bihar elections draw near, PK’s “Jan Suraaj experiment” promises good governance, with its success determining his political future. A strong performance could see JSP emulate the Aam Aadmi Party’s expansion beyond its home state, leveraging PK’s experience across India to make inroads elsewhere. Failure, however, could spell the end of his direct political ambitions in Bihar. Ultimately, the outcome rests on the wisdom of Bihar’s voters, whose decisions will shape the state’s political future.
(R. Dileep Reddy is a Political Analyst and Director, People’s Pulse Research Organization. Views are personal. Edited by Majnu Babu).
