Bettiah/Patna: Prashant Kishor, the founder of the Jan Suraaj movement, initiated a day-long silent fast on Thursday at the historic Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram in West Champaran, characterizing the act as one of “introspection and atonement” following his party’s failure to secure any seats in the Bihar assembly elections of 2025. Joining him at the venue were state president Manoj Bharti, party officials, assembly candidates, and workers from across the state. Kishor stated that he is accepting moral responsibility for the party’s dismal performance, attributing it to a failure in effectively conveying Jan Suraaj’s message during three years of outreach.
In a media interaction earlier this week, he emphasized that the fast was “not a political demonstration” but rather an exercise in accountability. “When the message does not reach the public, the leadership must evaluate itself,” he remarked. The choice of Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram—linked to Mahatma Gandhi’s early experiments in truth, service, and self-purification—carries significant symbolism. Party insiders indicated that Kishor considered this location suitable for reassessing his political journey and the organization’s direction. Preparations for the fast began early in the morning, with a pandal, stage, and seating arranged within the ashram premises. Local administration officials were assigned to oversee security and crowd management.
Senior leaders of Jan Suraaj, district heads, and former candidates are expected to stay with Kishor until the fast concludes. The party stated that this exercise would assist in redefining its strategies, enhancing internal communication, and providing “a new moral and organizational direction” following its electoral defeat. The silent fast is viewed as a significant turning point for both Prashant Kishor and Jan Suraaj as they seek to regroup and reconsider their political strategy.