Patna: The results of the 2025 Bihar elections have dealt a significant blow to Prashant Kishor and his party, Jan Suraj. Following three years of relentless campaigning, including village tours and public gatherings, the party failed to secure a single victory among the 243 seats it contested. High expectations surrounded Kishor, who aimed to translate his grassroots efforts into electoral success. However, the final results revealed that Jan Suraj was far from achieving victory, shocking both its leadership and supporters. The party garnered approximately three percent of the vote share, which, while not entirely poor for a first-time contender, masked a troubling seat-by-seat performance.
In over 50 seats, candidates from Jan Suraj received fewer votes than NOTA — the “None of the Above” option. Notably, in more than 25 percent of the contested seats, voters opted for NOTA instead of choosing Jan Suraj candidates. For instance, in Alinagar, Jan Suraj garnered only 2,275 votes compared to NOTA’s 4,751. In Amarpur, the Jan Suraj candidate received 4,789 votes, while NOTA exceeded 6,000. In Aurangabad, the party managed 2,755 votes, while NOTA achieved 3,352. Even in Kochadhaman, NOTA slightly surpassed the party’s performance, with 2,039 votes against 1,976. Disappointment persisted among the party’s prominent candidates. Out of 238 candidates, 236 lost their deposits, indicating minimal support statewide.
Even well-known figures struggled to make an impact; Ritesh Pandey from Kargahar received 16,258 votes and finished third. In Kumhrar, Professor KC Sinha also placed third with 15,000 votes. Sarfaraz Alam from Jokihat obtained 35,000 votes but remained in third position. YouTuber Manish Kashyap, a highly discussed member of Jan Suraj, achieved 37,000 votes yet also came third. For Prashant Kishor, regarded as one of India’s most adept election strategists, this outcome represents a significant setback. The party had pledged to introduce a new political model and transform Bihar’s political landscape, yet voters opted differently.
The pressing question for Jan Suraj now is whether it will persist in its endeavors and recuperate from this substantial defeat or if the Bihar results will mark the conclusion of a political experiment that once drew national interest.
