PK WHO CLAIMED TO BRING ‘CHANGE’ IN BIHAR FAILED HIS FIRST TEST: BJP-JD(U)

PK WHO CLAIMED TO BRING ‘CHANGE’ IN BIHAR FAILED HIS FIRST TEST: BJP-JD(U)

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RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA--------------------Prashant Kishore, who entered Bihar politics with the promise of "change" and "alternatives," failed to perform as expected in his first major test. After marching for over a year, he formed a party and tried to present himself as a serious player. However, the by-election results have raised questions about his claims. His candidate's security deposit was saved in only one of the four seats, prompting opposition parties to taunt him.

"Prashant Kishore failed miserably in the by-elections. Claiming victory, Prashant Kishore was able to save his security deposit in only one seat. His candidates failed to save their security deposit in the remaining three seats. He received less than 5% of the vote in two seats. Prashant Kishore will have to turn to coalition politics in the future, or the results will be the same." - Dr. Sanjay Kumar, political analyst

Opposition taunts: BJP spokesperson Prem Ranjan Patel said that Prashant Kishore proved to be a vote cutter. The people of Bihar rejected him in the by-elections. Prashant Kishore should get back to strategizing. However, after losing in Bihar, Prashant Kishore will no longer be tasked with strategizing. JDU spokesperson Nihora Yadav said that Prashant Kishore is a banner-poster type. Women showed him his place in the by-elections.

"Prashant Kishore was talking about ending prohibition, and he got the answer in the by-elections. Prashant Kishore is no longer relevant in Bihar politics in the future. He should now return to his old ways. The people of Bihar have rejected him." - Nihora Yadav, JDU spokesperson

PK suffers a major setback: Prashant Kishore, who formed a political party on October 2, 2024, has suffered a major setback in the elections. Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishore had been on a padayatra across Bihar for the past year. With the formation of his party, Prashant Kishore decided to jump into the by-elections, fielding candidates in all four seats. Prashant's party, Jansuraj, struggled to save its deposit in the by-elections.

Candidate Controversy: Prashant Kishore often questioned Tejashwi Yadav's education in his speeches. He had decided that his candidate would be educated. The candidates Prashant Kishore fielded for four by-election seats had attained intermediate or lower education. Controversy arose when the Imamganj candidate was a doctor. He was a rural doctor. The opposition raised questions about Prashant Kishore's candidate. Prashant Kishore was unable to find any candidate who had completed a graduate degree.

Failed to Break the Caste Equation: Prashant Kishore often told people in his rallies not to vote based on caste. He claimed to have a strong performance in the by-election and to show both alliances their place. Prashant Kishore had said that he would be successful in breaking the caste politics in Bihar. However, Prashant Kishore later fielded candidates based on caste.

Deposit forfeited in three seats: Prashant Kishore's party was able to save the deposit in only one seat. Imamganj candidate Jitendra Paswan managed to save the deposit. Jitendra Paswan received over 37,000 votes. Jitendra Paswan secured third place with 22.63% of the vote. Kiran Devi secured only 5,662 votes in the Tarari assembly seat, representing 3.48% of the vote. Mohammad Amjad secured 17,285 votes in Belagnj, representing 10.66% of the vote. Sushil Kushwaha secured only 6,513 votes in Ramgarh, representing 3.87%.

How many votes are required to save the security deposit? It should be noted that 16% of the vote is required to save the security deposit. A candidate securing 16% of the total votes cast in an assembly constituency, or 1/6th of the total votes polled, secures their security deposit. A candidate securing fewer votes than this amount forfeits their security deposit.