Bihar’s political landscape shifts as Jan Suraaj Party gains momentum, challenging established alliances ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections.
New Delhi: With Bihar’s Assembly elections scheduled for 2025, the political landscape of the state is undergoing significant changes. The inclusion of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JDU in the NDA has signalled a shift towards development-focused politics. Meanwhile, a new political player, the Jan Suraaj Party led by political strategist Prashant Kishor, is set to contest the upcoming elections. Earlier this week, Kishor appointed former IFS officer Manoj Bharti as the party’s president and announced JSP’s intention to challenge both, the NDA and the I.N.D.I.A. alliance.
Prashant Kishor, with the goal of bringing change to Bihar, launched his party on October 2, 2022, and began a statewide padyatra. So far, they have covered nearly 60% of the state, sending a clear message to other political parties that they are prepared to pose a strong challenge in the upcoming Assembly elections. Kishor and his political outfit will now be closely watched as they establish themselves as a significant force in Bihar’s political landscape. It remains to be seen how BJP, JDU, and RJD will respond to the growing grassroots momentum of Jan Suraaj Party. Bihar is set for a period of dynamic and interesting political shifts.
Jan Suraaj Party, through its padyatra, is focused on winning over Bihar’s youth, a crucial demographic that plays a decisive role in election outcomes. With more than 70% of Bihar’s population under the age of 35, the state is in a unique phase. A source within the party said that much like the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when Narendra Modi’s decisive leadership captured the imagination of India’s young electorate, Bihar’s even younger population in 2024 could similarly gravitate towards fresh leadership. This youth, more vocal and informed through social media, holds the potential to create a significant shift in electoral dynamics. Even a small swing among young voters could translate into substantial gains for Jan Suraaj Party, positioning them as a formidable challenger to both, NDA and I.N.D.I.A. alliance. Currently, in terms of substance and appeal, Jan Suraaj Party is seen as offering more freshness, which resonates with the youth, than the established political parties in the state.
In addition to targeting the youth, Jan Suraaj Party is also focusing on securing the Muslim votebank. Kishor’s message to the Muslim community is to move beyond their fear of BJP and instead, prioritise their economic upliftment. He is actively engaging with the Seemanchal region of Bihar, where Muslim voters are concentrated, and working to build alliances with local Maulvis and intellectual leaders within the Muslim community. Notably, around 75 of the 243 Vidhan Sabha seats in Bihar have more than 30% combined Muslim and Yadav voters. A shift in the Muslim votebank could deal a significant blow to the I.N.D.I.A. alliance.
Expressing confidence in his party’s success, Kishor stated earlier this week that voters in Bihar have been left without real alternatives, compelled to choose between the two main alliances. His two-year padyatra, he explained, was designed to foster an environment for change.
Another source within the party said “People will rise above caste, religion, and the mandir-masjid divide to vote purely for the future of their children’s education and employment. Jan Suraaj Party will be the vehicle for that change,” he claimed.
Source further asserted that the party would secure an absolute majority in the next Assembly elections and ruled out any alliances with other political formations.
“Bihar is ready for change in the Assembly elections scheduled next year.”
Navneet Kumar Yadav, the District In charge of Jan Suraaj Party, emphasised in a conversation that the party is steering clear of caste-based politics, aiming instead to create a political environment where voters can make their choices without fear or pressure. According to Yadav, the party’s key agenda is to address the pressing issue of youth migration from Bihar, whether it is for employment or education. The party believes that by creating better opportunities within the state, the need for the younger generation to leave in search of work or educational prospects can be significantly reduced. Beyond this, the party is committed to establishing a corruption-free government, which Yadav stressed is crucial for the overall development and prosperity of Bihar. The party seeks to restore public trust in governance by prioritising transparency, accountability, and efficient service delivery, all while focusing on the welfare and future of the state’s residents.