In his first public statement following the NDA’s decisive victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, Prashant Kishor asserted that defeat is only for those who surrender. Instead of retreating, the founder of Jan Suraaj has emerged as the leading voice of the Opposition, especially as figures like Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav have been notably absent from the public eye since the election results were announced. Kishor revealed plans to undertake a 24-hour fast at the Gandhi Ashram in Bhitiharwa, West Champaran, on November 20, coinciding with the swearing-in ceremony for Nitish Kumar and his new cabinet at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. The choice of location is significant, as it is associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s notable 1917 Satyagraha.
Despite Jan Suraaj not winning any seats and garnering around 3.34% of the votes, Kishor acknowledged the party’s subpar performance but stressed that they made a considerable impact, finishing third in 129 constituencies and second in one. He took full responsibility for the electoral defeat, congratulated the NDA, and committed to holding the new government accountable for its promises. Kishor challenged the incoming administration to fulfill its major pledge of providing ₹2 lakh to 1.5 crore women, stating he would exit politics—and even Bihar—if the government honored this commitment.
He pointed out that the NDA had leveraged local women’s organizations and frontline workers to promote the scheme during the campaign, warning that citizens would seek answers if the funds were not released. Additionally, he launched a helpline (9121691216) for women to contact Jan Suraaj for help in claiming the promised financial support. With Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav remaining silent post-election—amid reported internal tensions in the RJD—Kishor is stepping into the leadership gap within the Opposition. Although Gandhi labeled the electoral process as ‘unfair’ on social media, he has not interacted with party workers or addressed supporters since November 14. Tejashwi has similarly refrained from public appearances due to family disputes.
Kishor remarked that while the election result was disappointing, it is not the conclusion, emphasizing that the real struggle commences now. He mentioned that he was always aware of Jan Suraaj’s potential to be either ‘at the top or at the bottom’ and is ready to intensify efforts following three years of groundwork. Kishor plans to return to West Champaran—where Jan Suraaj initiated its journey in 2022—to commence his fast, indicating his determination to continue influencing the dialogue on critical issues like unemployment, migration, and the dignity of Bihar’s residents. Through his proactive approach and immediate outreach to the public, he has become the most significant Opposition figure in the state at this time.
