Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj, said voters are equally responsible for the current political situation in Bihar following his party's electoral defeat.
The statements mark a rare admission of failure from the former poll strategist, who sought to disrupt Bihar's established political order. By attributing the result to both his own leadership and the choices of the electorate, Kishor highlights a deep disconnect between his reformist platform and the actual voting behavior in the state.
Kishor addressed the fallout of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections [1], where Jan Suraaj won zero seats [1]. Speaking in Purnea and during interactions in New Delhi, he said, "I take 100% responsibility for my party’s poor performance in the Bihar polls" [2]. To mark the occasion, he announced a day-long maun upvas, or silent fast [2].
While accepting personal blame, Kishor also criticized the electorate. He said voters are equally responsible for the political situation in Bihar [3]. He further alleged that an "invisible force" and the practice of vote-buying influenced the outcome [4].
Kishor also directed his criticism toward the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He said the BJP has imposed the chief minister and the formation of the new government is undemocratic [5]. He questioned the mandate behind the change in leadership, suggesting the appointment was a party imposition rather than a reflection of public will [5].
The Jan Suraaj campaign had positioned itself as a systemic alternative to the existing power structures in Bihar. However, the total lack of seats [1] suggests that the party failed to convert its public visibility into legislative power. Kishor's comments regarding the undemocratic nature of the new government formation further emphasize his view that the state's political machinery remains resistant to his vision of change [5].
“"I take 100% responsibility for my party’s poor performance in the Bihar polls."”
The total electoral collapse of Jan Suraaj indicates that high-profile strategizing and grassroots campaigning were insufficient to overcome traditional caste and party loyalties in Bihar. Kishor's decision to blame both the BJP's internal appointment process and the voters themselves suggests a struggle to reconcile his perceived intellectual mandate with the reality of the ballot box.
