Daijiworld Media Network – Patna
Patna, Oct 7: With the Bihar Assembly elections around the corner, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party is gearing up for its electoral debut. Kishor has said that the party’s list of candidates will be announced this week, fueling speculation about his own contesting seat.
Kishor, the poll strategist-turned-politician, has indicated he may contest from Kargahar, his home seat in Rohtas district, or Raghopur, a traditional RJD bastion in Vaishali district represented by Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav. Raghopur has been held by RJD stalwarts, including Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, and only once slipped to JDU in 2010.
A contest from Raghopur would send a strong political message, pitting Kishor directly against Tejashwi in his stronghold. Conversely, Kargahar, created in 2008 and won twice by JDU and once by Congress, would be a safer bet.
Kishor claims his Jan Suraaj yatra in 2022 built significant support that could reflect in the polls. However, mainstream parties have dismissed the new entrant, predicting a lacklustre debut. Some analysts have compared Kishor to Arvind Kejriwal, suggesting his criticisms of Bihar politicians may be a strategic move to carve a foothold in the state.
The coming week will clarify both the candidates’ list and Kishor’s electoral plans, setting the stage for a high-stakes political battle in Bihar.