Prashant Kishor on Wednesday said he has shifted to an ashram on the outskirts of Patna and will continue leading the activities of the Jan Suraaj Party from there until the next Bihar Assembly elections. The political strategist-turned-politician said the move reflects his commitment to building the party at the grassroots level ahead of the state polls.
Addressing reporters during a visit to Darbhanga, the 48-year-old leader said he vacated his previous residence in Patna on Tuesday night and has now shifted to the Bihar Navnirman Ashram located near Indian Institute of Technology Patna. Kishor said the ashram would remain his base until the next assembly elections, where he hopes the Jan Suraaj Party will establish a significant political presence in Bihar. Until now, he had been operating from Sheikhpura House, a bungalow near Patna airport owned by the family of former BJP MP Uday Singh.
Kishor, who co-founded political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee before launching the Jan Suraaj Party in 2024, also launched a sharp attack on former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. Referring to Kumar’s recent political transition to the Rajya Sabha, Kishor alleged that Bihar’s long-standing economic problems, including migration caused by unemployment and poverty, remained unresolved during Kumar’s tenure. He further criticised what he described as dynastic politics, referring to the political rise of Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar.
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The Jan Suraaj founder also appealed to voters to avoid making electoral decisions based on caste, religion, or financial incentives. He urged citizens to focus on the future of their children and the state’s economic development while casting their votes. His remarks were widely seen as criticism of welfare measures announced ahead of the assembly elections, including the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana under which financial assistance was distributed to women beneficiaries across the state.
Kishor additionally warned about possible economic difficulties arising from the ongoing situation in West Asia, claiming that Bihar and other parts of the country could witness a sharp rise in fuel prices and fertiliser shortages in the coming months. He said farmers, who had previously complained about black marketing of fertilisers, could now face supply shortages if global conditions worsen. According to him, rising costs could place additional pressure on households already struggling with inflation and unemployment.
The former strategist also criticised Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary over alleged government extravagance despite Bihar being among the poorest states in India. Kishor alleged that the chief minister’s official residence occupies a vast area requiring significant maintenance expenditure and claimed there were plans to further expand the compound. His comments come at a time when political activity in Bihar is intensifying ahead of the next assembly elections, with regional and national parties sharpening their campaigns across the state.
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