FLUENT IN FRENCH, POSSESSING ASSETS WORTH CRORES

FLUENT IN FRENCH, POSSESSING ASSETS WORTH CRORES

17-JULY-ENG 7

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA--------------------------Prashant Kishor, the architect of 'Jan Suraaj' who has previously crafted election strategies for others, has now entered the electoral fray himself for the first time. The nomination papers and affidavit filed for the Bankipur Assembly by-election have sparked discussions not only about his political profile but also his educational and professional background.

Prashant Kishor’s educational journey began at M.P. High School in Buxar and Patna Science College, extending to Lucknow University, the Administrative Staff College of India, and a healthcare management program conducted in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University (USA). Furthermore, he completed a specialized course in the French language at the University of Clermont-Ferrand in France; thus, alongside Hindi and English, he is also proficient in French.

In a political landscape like Bihar's, where politicians' educational qualifications are frequently a topic of debate, Prashant Kishor’s international academic background sets him apart.

According to the affidavit filed with his nomination, Prashant Kishor declared an income of ₹58.45 lakh for the 2024-25 financial year, while his wife’s income is stated as ₹40.23 lakh. He possesses movable assets worth over ₹22.19 crore, and the market value of his immovable assets is estimated at around ₹74 crore. Assets worth crores are also registered in his wife's name. The affidavit reveals eight pending criminal cases against him, though he has not been convicted in any of them to date.

Having served as a strategist for numerous elections across the country, Prashant Kishor is now seeking votes from the public based on his own identity and politics. The Bankipur by-election is not merely a contest for a single seat; it will also determine the extent to which the public accepts Prashant Kishor—the election strategist—as a political leader.

The contest in Bankipur is particularly significant because the debate here will go beyond political promises to encompass experience, education, vision, and public support base.