Prashant Kishor and the future of Bihar’s politics
Bihar is fed up with them all: Congress, RJD, Nitish Kumar, and BJP.
Each promised to lift the state out of poverty, joblessness, and backwardness. Each claimed to be the messiah who would restore Bihar’s glory.
Yet, after decades of trying, Bihar remains where it was – at the bottom of India’s development ladder. Despite the fact that Bihar has thrown up many tall national leaders, like Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Jayaprakash Narayan, Dr Lohia, Karpoori Thakur, George Fernandes, and Jagjivan Ram (?).
Its youth still migrate in millions, its infrastructure still struggles, and its politics is still trapped in caste arithmetic and old loyalties.
At some point, the people of Bihar should say, “Enough is enough.” If not for hope, at least to send a message to the entrenched parties that they cannot take Bihar for granted any longer.
That is why Bihar must give Prashant Kishor a chance.
The old guards who failed
Congress
The Congress dominated Bihar for decades after Independence, ruling the state for more than 40 years.
Yet, instead of laying a foundation for industrial growth or educational excellence, the party presided over administrative decay and corruption.
While Congress governments produced a handful of leaders with national stature, they left behind weak institutions and no sustainable development legacy.
By the 1990s, people were so disillusioned that the party was reduced to irrelevance in the state.
RJD
The Rashtriya Janata Dal, under Lalu Prasad Yadav, came to power in 1990 with the promise of social justice and empowerment for backward classes and minorities.
To its credit, RJD did give political voice and confidence to communities long excluded from power.
But that came at the cost of governance. Law and order collapsed, corruption flourished, and Bihar earned the infamous tag of “jungle raj.”
Development took a backseat, and the state fell behind its peers in almost every metric of progress.
Tejaswi Yadav is no better than any other from the Lalu Pariwar.
NDA under Nitish Kumar
Nitish Kumar’s long innings, mostly in alliance with the BJP, raised hope of a turnaround.
To be fair, his government restored a semblance of law and order, expanded roads, and improved school enrolments.
For a while, Bihar was even touted as a model of “sushasan” (good governance).
But over time, Nitish’s indecision, frequent political flip-flops, lack of direction, and inability to generate large-scale jobs eroded those gains.
Today, after nearly two decades in and out of power, Nitish and the NDA stand accused of stagnation, better than the chaos of RJD, but far from delivering any semblance of prosperity.
Though BJP supporters would like to vote for NDA for the sake of Modi, the fact is that Modi won’t run the Bihar government; Nitish’s and NDA’s failures have been right under the nose of Modi.
Why Prashant Kishor (PK) matters
Not a typical politician
PK is not the product of dynastic politics or caste calculations. He is a strategist who has worked behind the scenes to craft some of India’s biggest electoral victories.
Unlike leaders who thrive on slogans, he understands how to translate vision into action and communication into trust.
A ground-up effort
Through his Jan Suraaj padyatra, PK has walked across Bihar’s villages and towns, listening to people rather than lecturing them.
This is not politics by air-conditioned campaign vans, but by direct dialogue. It is precisely this kind of listening-first leadership that Bihar has lacked for decades.
Data, strategy, and accountability
Where others rule by populism and caste appeasement, PK brings a professional mindset. He understands data, policy, and the mechanics of governance.
Bihar doesn’t need another loud slogan; it needs smart systems that deliver.
A chance to break the cycle
Even if PK may not have all the answers ready at hand, giving him a chance would send a powerful message: that Bihar will no longer recycle the same failed options.
This act of courage could itself be the spark that forces others to raise their game.
No doubt, there is a chance that, once in power, PK could become another AK (Arvind Kejriwal). But he’ll be a better option to give a shot today than any of the failed ones
Why do people doubt him
Of course, there are reasons many dismiss PK’s chances.
Bihar’s politics is still built on caste loyalties that no newcomer can easily crack. His Jan Suraaj lacks the entrenched machinery of RJD or JD(U). And yes, he has never held executive office.
But ask this: Have those who held power for decades done better? If the experienced leaders with vast networks could not deliver, why should inexperience disqualify someone who offers a new approach?
A bold gamble worth taking
Bihar is at a crossroads. Continuing with Congress, RJD, or NDA means signing up for more of the same.
The other option is riskier but promising: backing someone who is untainted yet, who listens, and who dares to challenge the system.
Prashant Kishor may be untested and unproven.
But he represents something Bihar desperately needs: a break from the tired politics of caste, compromise, and lack of any vision, and a chance at fresh blood.
Bihar has little to lose, but everything to gain, by daring to try.
And Bihar is too important for India to give up.
Are the Bihar voters ready?
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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