In a political landscape dominated by shifting alliances and opportunistic partnerships, Jan Suraaj Party leader Prashant Kishor has drawn a bold, unambiguous line in the sand. At the NDTV Bihar Power Play conclave in Patna, the master political strategist-turned-contender declared that his party would not enter into an alliance with any other political formation, either before the upcoming assembly elections or after the results are declared.
To leave no room for ambiguity, and in a nod to his own famous phrase, Kishor gave the commitment "in writing" when challenged by NDTV's Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal.
The announcement signals a high-risk, high-reward strategy for Kishor's Jan Suraaj, which is making its electoral debut in a state where political fortunes have long been decided by mahagathbandhans (grand alliances). Kishor is betting entirely on a direct appeal to the electorate, positioning his party as a clear alternative to the existing political options.
"Fewer Than 10 or More Than 150": Kishor's Seat Projection
When pressed by the panel—which included Managing Editor Padmaja Joshi and NDTV's Bihar bureau chief Prabhakar Kumar—to put a number on his party's potential seats, Kishor presented a starkly binary outlook.
"I can see two probabilities. People have seen Jan Suraaj as an alternative, but voting requires a leap of faith. People need a leap of faith because of the prolonged phase of hopelessness," he said. He concluded that Jan Suraaj would win either "fewer than 10 or more than 150 seats," suggesting that his party's performance hinges on whether it can trigger a wave of public support large enough to overcome entrenched voting patterns.
The Kingmaker Question and the "Lure of Lakshmi"
A key question posed to Kishor was what he would do if Jan Suraaj emerged as a kingmaker in a hung assembly, a common scenario in Bihar politics. He was unequivocal in his response.
"We don't do the politics of this side and that side. If the people don't give us a mandate, we will continue our work. I can give it to you in writing, neither an alliance before the polls, nor after the polls," he asserted.
When asked if this stance would hold even if his party's support was crucial for government formation, Kishor expressed a sobering realism about the challenges of maintaining discipline. He hinted that while he would remain "honest," he might be powerless to stop his MLAs from defecting.
"If a situation comes where the government cannot be formed without us, I know people will switch. I won't be able to stop them," he admitted, blaming this on the "lure of Lakshmi (money) and fear of (central agency) CBI."
In a sharp retort aimed squarely at the BJP, he turned the question of integrity back onto the ruling party. "Get it written by Amit Shah too that if the NDA falls short of a majority, no MLAs will be bought or pressured. You are asking if we won't sell, ask those who will buy," he said.
From Strategist to Contender: A Different Path
Reflecting on his own journey from being the architect of victories for parties across the spectrum to now contesting his own battle, Kishor noted the difference. "Here too I am making others contest. The only difference is that I have created a new formation to execute this. Earlier, I worked with ready formations," he explained.
Drawing a distinction between himself and other anti-establishment figures like Arvind Kejriwal, whose AAP defeated an incumbent chief minister in its debut, Kishor pointed out a key difference in the Bihar context. "Also, the Bihar Chief Minister is not contesting the polls; Sheila Dikshit was. If I contested against Tejashwi (in Raghopur), someone would say I am contesting against a backward leader."
With his "in writing" pledge, Prashant Kishor has consciously closed the door on post-poll bargaining. He has framed the Bihar election not just as a contest for power, but as a test of political character, daring the electorate to take that "leap of faith" and challenging his rivals to match his public commitment. The gamble is immense, but so is the potential payoff: to be seen as the only party in the fray that truly means what it says.
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