Prashant Kishor Vows to Fight On After Jan Suraaj's Electoral Defeat in Bihar: "No Stepping Back"

Prashant Kishor declared there is "no question of stepping back without winning Bihar" following his Jan Suraaj Party's disappointing performance in the recent election.

In his first interview after the electoral setback with NDTV's Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal, Kishor emphasized his determination, stating, "You don't know how stubborn I am."

He referenced former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's political journey, noting how Khan lost all seats in his first election but eventually succeeded. "But eventually, a day came when he won," Kishor explained.

Drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, Kishor highlighted the importance of "patience and perseverance," affirming his belief that his work is "right for Bihar."

The poll strategist indicated that while there might be operational adjustments in the coming years, Jan Suraaj's fundamental approach would remain unchanged. He maintained his controversial stance on ending prohibition in Bihar, a position that reportedly alienated women voters and damaged the party's electoral prospects.

Kishor also pointed to historical examples of political resilience, including the BJP's struggles in the 1984 general election and Nitish Kumar's difficulties in the 1995 Bihar election. He explained, "When you work among people, you create support."

Reflecting on the election results, Kishor admitted he had anticipated a 12-15 percent vote share rather than the 3.5 percent his party received. "I played blind," he confessed, acknowledging he hadn't conducted pre-election surveys as he typically did in his former role as an election strategist.

Despite the setback, Kishor remained steadfast in his commitment to Bihar's political landscape.