Political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, who founded the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) after touring Bihar for three years, is preparing for his first big test in the upcoming Assembly elections. So far, his party has only contested four bypolls but managed to make some impact.

• On Bihar’s mood: Around 60% of the people want change, across caste and religion. Nitish Kumar as CM is “finished”. The BJP has no strong leader after Sushil Kumar Modi’s death. The RJD under Tejashwi Yadav also hasn’t changed its old ways. People have to choose between “expired medicine” or a new option, which he says is the JSP.

• On caste politics: Kishor said caste is a reality, but not the only truth. He asked, “Are there people of Modi’s caste in Bihar? Still he won in 2014. Nitish Kumar’s caste is only 3% of the population, yet he became CM.”

• On democracy: He dismissed fears that people could lose voting rights, saying: “Our democracy is not weak. Those who are saying such things are fools.”

• On BJP vs Congress narrative: While the BJP talks about “ghuspaithiya (illegal immigrants)” and the Congress alleges “vote theft”, Kishor believes these are not the real issues.

 Kishor is pitching JSP as the third alternative in Bihar politics, calling both NDA and RJD “expired medicines” and positioning his party as the fresh choice.

By Bharat Aawaz