Prashant Kishor Claims JD(U) Would Have Won Only 25 Seats Without Pre-Poll Cash Transfers
Election strategist-turned-politician drops bombshell on Bihar verdict.
Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Tuesday asserted that the Janata Dal (United) would have been reduced to a mere 25 seats in the 243-member Bihar Assembly had the Nitish Kumar government not distributed ₹10,000 each to approximately 60,000 women beneficiaries in every constituency immediately before the elections. Kishor described the pre-poll cash transfer under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana and the subsequent promise of ₹2 lakh to 1.5 crore women as decisive factors that tilted the electoral balance in favour of the National Democratic Alliance.
Speaking at a press conference in Patna, the former election strategist accepted complete responsibility for his party’s dismal performance, which failed to win even a single seat in its debut electoral outing. He maintained that despite an “honest and issue-based campaign”, systemic irregularities and large-scale deployment of money power overwhelmed grassroots efforts. Kishor reiterated his earlier allegation of “vote chori” (vote theft) being a nationwide phenomenon and urged opposition parties across the country to convene and consider approaching the Supreme Court for systemic electoral reforms.
The political analyst launched a sharp attack on both Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing them of winning the mandate by deepening caste and religious divisions while simultaneously purchasing votes through direct financial inducements. Contrasting his approach with that of the ruling alliance, Kishor declared that failing to secure votes was not a moral failing, whereas indulging in divisive politics and corruption was. He announced a symbolic one-day fast on November 20 at Bitiharwa in West Champaran—the very place from where Mahatma Gandhi launched the satyagraha movement in 1917—as an act of penance coinciding with the likely oath-taking ceremony of the new NDA government.
Also Read: ‘Failure Is Mine Alone’: Prashant Kishor Owns Bihar Defeat, Declares Day-Long Silence Fast
In a bold challenge to the incoming administration, Kishor stated that he would permanently quit politics if the NDA fulfils its electoral promise of providing ₹2 lakh each to 1.5 crore women under the self-employment scheme. Placing the onus squarely on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he asserted that the people had given them a clear mandate and it was now their duty to deliver. He further offered that any woman who does not receive the promised amount within six months could approach Jan Suraaj Party, which would take up legal and public agitation to ensure disbursement.
Despite the crushing defeat, Kishor exuded defiance, declaring that the setback would only serve as a stepping stone for organisational rebuilding. The NDA secured a comfortable majority by winning 202 seats, with the BJP emerging as the largest constituent with 89 seats, followed closely by JD(U) with 85. While the opposition Mahagathbandhan was decimated, Prashant Kishor’s outspoken critique has ensured that the conversation around money power and electoral integrity in Bihar remains far from over.
