In a bold political statement that has stirred Bihar’s pre-election landscape, Jan Suraaj Party founder and poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has announced his intent to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, claiming that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will not retain his post after the polls. Addressing reporters in Patna on October 6, 2025, Kishor said, “This will be Nitish Kumar’s last election. He will not celebrate the next Makar Sankranti at 1 Anne Marg.”
Kishor’s remarks come just hours after the Election Commission announced the Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases—November 6 and 11—with counting scheduled for November 14. The Jan Suraaj Party will release its full list of candidates on October 9, which Kishor promised would be “full of surprises,” including his own name.
Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 – Key Dates and Details
| Event | Date/Detail | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 Voting | November 6, 2025 | Covers 121 constituencies |
| Phase 2 Voting | November 11, 2025 | Remaining 122 constituencies |
| Counting of Votes | November 14, 2025 | Results to be declared same day |
| Jan Suraaj Candidate List | October 9, 2025 | Kishor’s name to be included |
| CM Residence Reference | “No Makar Sankranti at 1 Anne Marg” | Symbolic end of Nitish’s tenure |
Kishor, once a close aide to Nitish Kumar and his former advisor, has now positioned himself as a challenger to the JD(U) supremo. He claimed that the Jan Suraaj Party will tap into the 28% voter base that neither supports the NDA nor the INDIA bloc. “We are expected to get 10% votes each from both alliances, plus the 28% independent voters. That gives us a projected 48% vote share,” he said.
Jan Suraaj Party – Projected Vote Share Analysis
| Voter Segment | Estimated Share (%) | Source of Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Voters | 28% | Not aligned with NDA or INDIA bloc |
| NDA Defectors | 10% | Disenchanted BJP/JD(U) voters |
| INDIA Bloc Defectors | 10% | RJD, Congress, Left voters |
| Total Estimated Share | 48% | Based on Kishor’s internal survey |
Kishor’s confidence stems from his extensive grassroots outreach across Bihar over the past two years, where he claims to have interacted with over 10 lakh citizens. His campaign has focused on issues like migration, unemployment, education, and corruption—areas where he accuses the Nitish-led government of failing.
In a separate interview, Kishor acknowledged Nitish Kumar’s personal integrity but criticized his administration. “Nitish Kumar is honest, but the government around him is the most corrupt since Independence. His health is not at its best, and the system has collapsed,” he said.
Prashant Kishor’s Critique of Nitish Kumar’s Governance
| Aspect | Kishor’s Observation | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Integrity | “Nitish is honest” | No direct corruption allegations |
| Administrative Collapse | “Most corrupt government since 1947” | Blames bureaucracy and allies |
| Health Concerns | “Not in best shape” | Questions Nitish’s leadership capacity |
| Political Longevity | “Last election for Nitish” | Predicts end of JD(U) dominance |
The Jan Suraaj Party’s emergence has added a third dimension to Bihar’s electoral contest, which was previously expected to be a bipolar battle between the NDA and the INDIA bloc. A recent C-Voter survey shows Tejashwi Yadav leading the CM race with 35% support, followed by Prashant Kishor at 23%, and Nitish Kumar trailing at 16% .
Bihar CM Race – Voter Preference Trends (C-Voter Survey, Oct 2025)
| Candidate Name | Preferred by (%) | Trend Since February 2025 | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tejashwi Yadav | 35% | -5% | Slight dip, still leads |
| Prashant Kishor | 23% | +9% | Rising popularity, dark horse |
| Nitish Kumar | 16% | -6% | Declining support |
Political analysts believe Kishor’s entry could fragment votes and reshape alliances. His appeal to youth and first-time voters, combined with his reputation as a strategist behind successful campaigns for Modi, Nitish, and Mamata, gives him a unique edge.
However, critics argue that Kishor’s party lacks organizational depth and caste-based mobilization, which remain crucial in Bihar’s electoral arithmetic. JD(U) leaders dismissed his claims, saying, “Prashant Kishor is good at making predictions, not winning elections.”
Social media platforms have exploded with reactions to Kishor’s announcement, with hashtags like #PrashantKishorChallenge, #BiharCMRace, and #JanSuraaj2025 trending across Twitter/X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Public Sentiment – Social Media Buzz on Prashant Kishor’s Claim
| Platform | Engagement Level | Sentiment (%) | Top Hashtags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitter/X | 1.4M mentions | 78% curious | #PrashantKishorChallenge #BiharCMRace |
| 1.2M interactions | 82% supportive | #JanSuraaj2025 #NitishExitPrediction | |
| 950K views | 75% mixed | #BiharPolls2025 #CMRaceHeatsUp | |
| YouTube | 870K views | 80% analytical | #KishorVsNitish #BiharElectionsDebate |
Kishor’s campaign is expected to focus on clean governance, youth empowerment, and decentralization. His manifesto, to be released later this month, will reportedly include proposals for education reform, job creation, and rural entrepreneurship.
Jan Suraaj Party – Core Agenda Highlights
| Policy Focus | Proposed Initiative | Target Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Revamp government schools, teacher training | Rural students, dropouts |
| Employment | Skill hubs, startup incubation zones | Youth, migrant workers |
| Governance | Panchayat-level audits, e-governance | Citizens, local administrators |
| Health | Mobile clinics, telemedicine expansion | Villages, underserved areas |
In conclusion, Prashant Kishor’s declaration to contest the Bihar Assembly elections and his confident prediction that Nitish Kumar will not return as Chief Minister has injected fresh energy into the state’s political narrative. As alliances recalibrate and voters weigh their options, Bihar’s 2025 election promises to be one of the most unpredictable and transformative in recent history.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available political statements, verified election data, and media reports. It does not constitute political endorsement or prediction. Readers are advised to follow updates from the Election Commission of India and official party sources for accurate information.
