Prashant Kishor Challenges Nitish Kumar After Election Setback
Following a disappointing electoral performance, Prashant Kishor has publicly challenged Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Kishor, who leads the Jan Suraj Party, accepted responsibility for the loss but asserted that it would not push him out of politics. He has made a bold statement, promising to retire if Kumar fulfills his pledge to financially support 1.5 crore women. This article delves into Kishor's accusations against the ruling party and the implications of his challenge on Bihar's political landscape.
| Nov 18, 2025, 20:10 IST
Prashant Kishor's Bold Challenge to Bihar's Chief Minister
Prashant Kishor, who transitioned from an electoral strategist to a politician, faced a significant defeat in his first electoral contest with the Jan Suraj Party. Following this setback, he publicly challenged Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Addressing his supporters after the disappointing results, Kishor took responsibility for the party's performance but emphasized that this loss would not deter him from politics.
Instead of retreating, he intensified his criticism of the JD(U)-led government, stating that if the state fulfills its promise of providing ₹2 lakh to 1.5 crore women, he would permanently exit politics. Kishor remarked, "People are debating my earlier statement about JD(U) winning barely 25 seats, and I stand by it." He further asserted, "If Nitish Kumar delivers on his promise to 1.5 crore women and proves that his victory was not achieved through inducements, I will leave politics without hesitation."
Prior to the elections, Kishor had claimed that he would retire if JD(U) secured more than 25 seats. Reiterating this claim, he accused the ruling party of inflating its seat count by distributing ₹10,000 to over 60,000 individuals in each constituency. He stated, "The only thing between Nitish Kumar and his victory is the purchase of approximately 60,000 votes at ₹10,000 per assembly seat. The government must clarify whether this was a vote-buying scheme or a legitimate welfare initiative."
Contrary to Kishor's predictions, JD(U) contested 101 seats and won 85, while its ally BJP in the NDA secured 89 seats. Despite fielding candidates in all 243 constituencies, the Jan Suraj Party failed to win a single seat.