‘Samrat bigger danger for BJP’: JSP founder Prashant Kishor

After taking oath as a member of the Legislative Assembly, samrat Choudhary is a disaster for Bihar, but a bigger disaster for the BJP and the NDA, notes Prashant Kishor, Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder.

Key points

• There is a common perception that the BJP had other choices for the post of CM, but Nitish Kumar insisted on Samrat as his successor.
• The BJP is misleading individuals by spreading rumours that Nitish backed Samrat as the CM.
• Ramashankar, Kishor discussions concerning his party's future intends, challenges and, importantly, the meaning of his victory.
• What will be the impact of the Bankipur bypoll result on state politics?
• Samrat Choudhary does not deserve to hold the post of CM due to his shady background.

Ramashankar, Kishor discussions concerning his party's future intends, challenges and, importantly, the meaning of his victory. Excerpts.

There will definitely be a major impact. As the government's agenda has additionally changed after JSP's victory, in fact, the impact is already visible. The administration has now kicked off talking regarding quality education, jobs and investment. Earlier, the chief minister applied to talk only concerning crime, criminals, half-encounters and so on. What message has your victory sent throughout Bihar?

Individuals from all castes and religions voted for my party in the bypoll. The myth that individuals of Bihar vote only along caste and communal lines was demolished. It demonstrates how the voting pattern is undergoing a change in Bihar. This is good for the individuals as well as the state.

You have been consistently attacking CM Samrat Choudhary. Why are you against him?

Samrat Choudhary does not deserve to hold the post of CM due to his shady background. If he continues in the post, it will be a disaster for the state and an even bigger disaster for BJP and NDA. Even BJP workers aren't ready to accept him.

It is not true. The BJP is misleading individuals by spreading rumours that Nitish backed Samrat as the CM. Samrat was the BJP's pick. The BJP wanted to satisfy the JD(U) rank and file by creating a false impression.

Our first priority is to keep pressure on the BJP central leadership to replace the present CM and offer the post to a "deserving" person. I always question his credentials and capability. Individuals are aware of his 'chaal, charitra and chehra'. Bihar can prosper under the leadership of a better CM. Our party's focus will remain on the state's speedy expansion and stopping the migration of youth by creating job opportunities. We want to ensure quality education in administration schools and improve healthcare.

Will you be able to create Bankipur a role model for others to emulate?

I will try to fulfil all our promises, such as full ration, quality education and employment. Our party will shift children from administration schools to private ones and cover the expenses. Along with pre-poll promises, we have pledged to offer 10, 000 jobs to educated youth in the private sector.

Based on the Bankipur results, can we say that you have been able to communicate with individuals better this time?

I contacted individuals from all sections of society during the campaign. I repeatedly informed the voters that this election would not change the administration or have any impact on the Opposition, but it would clearly send a message to the top leadership of the 'double-engine administration'. I asked them to vote for the sake of the future of their children. It touched their hearts, and they voted for us. Can you explain your 'dar ka vote' theory?

Individuals voted fearlessly, not caring whether the BJP or the RJD would win the election, this time. In other elections, the RJD would try to obtain votes from residents by invoking the fear of the BJP. The BJP threatened individuals that 'jungle raj' would return if votes were cast for Lalu's party. Circumstances favoured us as voters wanted to elect the 'right' candidate.

For context, the administration should take serious note of Gen-Z protests. Though I don't personally know the students representing the Cockroach Janta Party, Sonam Wangchuk proved how his 35-day fast could rattle the Modi administration. The influence of social media cannot be undermined either; a generation that grew up with WhatsApp and Facebook created Modi PM, but now we've the Instagram generation, and I doubt whether the BJP would be able to handle it. The voice of discontentment cannot be suppressed.

In short, 'Samrat bigger danger for BJP': JSP founder Prashant Kishor is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.