New Delhi: Prashant Kishor has now become the most talked about face of Bihar politics. His party Jan Suraj has made such an impact on the state’s politics in just two years that not only the Grand Alliance is worried, but the BJP is also concerned. Prashant’s Jan Suraj Yatra reached every corner of Bihar and communicated directly with the public and brought a new turn in the traditional caste politics of the state. Earlier, the opposition used to dismiss them as BJP’s B team, today the same Jan Suraj is making inroads into BJP’s traditional vote bank.
The Brahmin and Bhumihar communities, who have been feeling neglected in Bihar politics for years, are feeling for the first time that one of their leaders has emerged as a contender in the race for the CM post. Even though Prashant Kishor repeatedly says that he does not have the ambition to become the CM, but his supporters are campaigning in every village that Prashant Kishor is the future of the state.
This is a matter of concern for the BJP, because till now it believed that the support of the upper castes was certain, but the increasing popularity of Jan Suraj has spoiled this equation. Even a few percent of votes can change the seat equations and this is the reason why BJP candidates are restless. Prashant has adopted the Brahmin, Rajput, Dalit, Kurmi formula to balance the caste equations. Through this formula, Jansuraj has tried to bring many communities on one platform.
Former MP Uday Singh (Pappu) has been made the national president to manage Rajput voters. Manoj Bharti has been appointed the state president to connect the Dalit community. Extremely backward class 36.01 percent and Muslim community 17.70 percent have also been made a part of the strategy. The party has reserved 40 assembly seats for the Muslim community and has also promised financial help.
Prashant has focused on issues like migration, employment and education to influence the young voters. He did not tell people whom to vote for, but forced them to think why they should vote. His blanket politics in which blankets are given to the poor in the cold and help is given to the needy has become a powerful medium to increase popularity on the ground.
Prashant Kishore, who used to take a dig at Tejashwi Yadav, has now started targeting BJP and PM Modi as well. His direct criticism on the issues of ‘Operation Sindoor’, Indo-Pak ceasefire and Hindutva has made BJP uncomfortable. BJP knows that when Congress or RJD attack Hindutva, it is beneficial for them, but when Prashant says the same thing, the public takes it seriously. This is the reason why Prashant’s narrative can prove to be dangerous for BJP.
No one can deny the importance of Yatras in Indian politics. Be it LK Advani’s Rath Yatra or Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra. Prashant’s Jan Suraj Yatra also falls in this category. This Yatra, which started in 2022, has not only made people aware, but has also prepared the ground for a new option in Bihar. PK’s Jan Suraj Party has given a new turn to the caste politics of Bihar. They are not only attracting upper caste voters, but are also making their place in the OBC, Dalit and Muslim classes. This is a warning bell for the Grand Alliance, but this challenge is much more serious and deep for the BJP.
