Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Tuesday took responsibility for the party’s defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections.
Acknowledging that the party failed to bring about the systemic change it had promised, he announced that party leaders would observe a day-long ‘maun-vrat’ (silent fast) on Thursday at the Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram as an act of penance.
In his first media interaction after the poll results, Kishor said, “There must have been some flaw in our thinking. This responsibility is mine, and I accept it. For us, this is a time for introspection. We apologise to those whose expectations we could not meet. As atonement, we will observe a one-day collective fast on Thursday at the Bhitiharwa Ashram.”
Commenting on the party’s performance, he said that “not getting votes is not a crime.”
“We have committed no wrongdoing. In Bihar, where politics is dominated solely by caste and religion, we focused on issues. Those who won by pursuing such politics will now have to be accountable,” he added.
Responding to questions on whether he would quit politics after the NDA’s sweeping victory, Kishor dismissed the speculation and blamed the extensive pre-poll cash doles for the outcome.
“Yes, I had said the JD(U) wouldn’t win more than 25 seats, but votes were bought with money. I am not leaving Bihar. I will work twice as hard as I have in the last three years. There is no question of stepping back,” he said.
Kishor claimed that the NDA secured votes by distributing Rs 10,000 each to about 60,000–62,000 women in every assembly constituency under the pretext of supporting self-employment. He alleged that the government machinery was extensively used and that women were told they would receive Rs 2 lakh each if the government returned to power.
“Through Jeevika, Mamta and Asha workers, Rs 29,000 crore was distributed. I urge the government to provide the promised Rs 2 lakh to these 1.5 crore women within the next six months, otherwise, it will be clear that the money was not part of any genuine scheme but was used to buy votes,” he said.