Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor has made a significant announcement regarding his decision not to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. This has caught many by surprise, especially after his recent bold challenge to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav in Raghopur. Kishor shared on October 15 that the Jan Suraaj Party collectively decided he would not be entering the electoral race.

Kishor Explains His Decision

Prashant Kishor stated that the decision for him to not contest the election was made by the party in the interest of strengthening the organization’s focus. He explained that his primary goal is to build a strong base for the party and support candidates across constituencies. He further emphasized that if the Jan Suraaj Party fails to secure the desired 150 seats, they would accept the defeat gracefully. Kishor stressed that this move was not part of any larger political strategy but was instead a decision based on public interest.

While Kishor’s reasoning may sound pragmatic, it has raised questions among political analysts and observers. His claim that contesting the election could divert resources from the party’s broader goal has been met with skepticism. Critics argue that other prominent political figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, have managed to run successful election campaigns while simultaneously contesting elections themselves.

Evaluating the Logic Behind Kishor’s Decision

Political analysts are speculating that Kishor’s decision not to contest may have more to do with deeper political calculations, particularly relating to image management and avoiding certain risks. There are several key factors behind his choice, which go beyond just a simple statement about resource allocation.

1. Avoiding the Risk of a Debutant Loss

Rakesh Ranjan, a Professor of Political Science at Patna University, suggests that Kishor’s decision is a tactical move aimed at avoiding potential embarrassment. As the Jan Suraaj Party is participating in elections for the first time, contesting and losing could severely damage the party’s credibility. He pointed to examples of other political parties that failed to gain traction after their leaders contested and lost in their initial electoral attempts.

For instance, in 2019, Pappu Yadav’s Jan Adhikar Party (Democratic) failed to win any seats, leading to its eventual merger with Congress in 2024. Similarly, Pushpam Priya Chaudhary’s Plurals Party contested 102 seats in 2020 but failed to win a single seat. Chaudhary lost in both constituencies she contested, which further diminished her party’s standing.

Given these examples, Ranjan argues that Kishor’s decision may be driven by a desire to avoid a similar fate, which could ruin the fledgling Jan Suraaj Party’s chances before it even has a chance to grow.

2. Steering Clear of the ‘CM Face’ Trap

Another important factor behind Kishor’s decision is his desire to avoid being projected as a chief ministerial candidate. Political analyst Sanjay Singh argues that Kishor’s background as a Brahmin could have played a role in this. If Kishor had contested the elections, he would have automatically been considered as a potential CM candidate, which could have reignited the “forward vs backward” divide in Bihar’s politics—a state with deep-rooted Mandal politics.

Singh further highlights the complexities that arise when a candidate from the upper-caste Brahmin community is put forward as a chief ministerial face in a state where the political dynamic is heavily influenced by caste identities. Kishor’s decision to refrain from contesting the election could thus be seen as a strategy to prevent deepening the caste divide that often plays a crucial role in Bihar’s electoral politics.

This is also evident in the Jan Suraaj Party’s careful social engineering in its candidate selection. Kishor’s party has made deliberate efforts to ensure substantial representation from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Muslims. This balanced approach aims to strengthen the party’s appeal across different social groups, without alienating any particular community.

3. Positioning Himself as a Political Reformer

Prashant Kishor has often made it clear that his goal is not to hold any political position but to bring about a transformation in the way politics functions in India. He has repeatedly stated that he does not aspire to be a politician in the traditional sense but aims to change the political landscape itself. According to Professor Ranjan, Kishor may be trying to build his image as a political reformer rather than a politician who simply seeks power.

By avoiding direct involvement in the election contest, Kishor may be positioning himself as someone focused on long-term structural changes rather than short-term political gains. This strategy could be aimed at developing his party’s organizational strength first, and testing its base before taking the electoral plunge himself.

This strategy mirrors that of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who, despite having a significant political career, has generally stayed away from directly contesting elections. Kumar has always preferred to focus on building his party’s organizational strength rather than directly competing in elections. Kishor may be adopting a similar approach to ensure that his party, the Jan Suraaj Party, is well-established and structurally strong before he decides to contest elections in the future.

The Road Ahead for Prashant Kishor and Jan Suraaj Party

Kishor’s decision not to contest the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections has sparked speculation about the future trajectory of the Jan Suraaj Party. Some political observers see this as a cautious but wise move for a new party trying to establish itself in the competitive political landscape of Bihar. By focusing on building the party’s base, Kishor could be laying the foundation for long-term success.

On the other hand, there are those who view this move as a sign of hesitation, especially after Kishor’s bold challenge to Tejashwi Yadav in Raghopur. Kishor’s challenge to the powerful RJD leader was seen as a significant political statement, but his subsequent decision to stay out of the race has led some to question his confidence in the party’s ability to compete at the highest level.

As Bihar’s elections approach, political observers will be keen to see how Kishor’s decision plays out. Will his decision to refrain from contesting elections help solidify his image as a political reformer who is focused on structural change? Or will it expose his reluctance to engage in the cutthroat world of electoral politics? Only time will tell, but it is clear that Kishor’s decision has made the upcoming elections even more intriguing.

Prashant Kishor’s decision to not contest the Bihar Assembly elections of 2025 may be seen as a strategic move designed to avoid risks and preserve the credibility of his newly-formed Jan Suraaj Party. By staying out of the race, Kishor can focus on strengthening his party’s organizational base and managing caste dynamics. His decision has sparked debates on his long-term political vision and whether he can successfully position himself as a reformer without engaging in the electoral process. While some may see this as a cautious move, others may view it as a sign of hesitation. As the election season heats up, Kishor’s next steps will be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike.