Konar, Bihar – In the Rohtas district of Bihar, nestled within the Kargahar Assembly constituency, lies Konar village, the birthplace of Prashant Kishor, the political strategist turned politician. As Bihar gears up for the upcoming assembly elections, Konar finds itself at the center of attention, with its residents placing their faith in Kishor's vision for the state.
Prashant Kishor, born in 1977, began his career working with the United Nations for eight years, where he was trained in public health. He gained widespread attention in 2012 after successfully leading Narendra Modi's political campaign during the Gujarat Assembly Elections. In 2024, Kishor launched his own political party, Jan Suraaj Party, and is expected to contest in all seats of Bihar in the next assembly election.
Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party is set to contest all 243 seats in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, aiming for a target of 150 seats. Kishor has announced that he will not be contesting the polls himself, choosing to focus on organizational work instead. He has stated that anything less than 150 seats for Jan Suraaj would be considered a defeat.
The villagers of Konar express a strong sense of pride and support for Kishor, viewing him as "not a politician, but an idea". They believe that Kishor represents a new wave of change, focusing on addressing critical issues such as employment and education. "Prashant ji is not just a name, Prashant ji is an ideology," says a local. "He has started talking about our livelihood and employment, he has started talking about education".
Many locals believe that Kishor's approach transcends traditional caste-based politics. While acknowledging Kishor's Brahmin identity, they emphasize that his focus on development and social upliftment resonates with people across caste lines. "This time, we will go for our employment and our children's education," a villager stated.
Kishor's political journey involves a state-wide "Padyatra" campaign, aimed at connecting with people at the grassroots level and understanding the challenges they face. The Jan Suraaj Padyatra aims to understand the root causes of Bihar's plight and prepare a blueprint for the state's development.
While Kishor enjoys considerable support in his native village, challenges remain. Some villagers have expressed concerns about the lack of development in the surrounding areas, despite Kishor's promises of change. Others worry about the potential for vote division and the possibility of other parties gaining an advantage.
Despite these concerns, the people of Konar remain optimistic about Kishor's vision and his potential to bring about positive change in Bihar. They see him as a beacon of hope, someone who can address the state's pressing issues and create a better future for generations to come.
The upcoming Bihar Assembly elections are poised to be a crucial test for Prashant Kishor and his Jan Suraaj Party. Whether he can translate the faith of his village and gain broader support across the state remains to be seen. The results of the election, scheduled for November 14, will determine the future of Bihar and the role Kishor will play in it.
