PK’S ELECTRIFYING ROAD SHOW IN BHOJPUR, A SCATHING ATTACCK ON NDA AND A CALL FOR JAN SURAJ’S NEW DAWN

PK’S ELECTRIFYING ROAD SHOW IN BHOJPUR, A SCATHING ATTACCK ON NDA AND A CALL FOR JAN SURAJ’S NEW DAWN

4-NOV-ENG 25

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------In the sweltering heat of Bihar's Bhojpur district, the air buzzed with anticipation and the rhythmic beats of dhol drums as political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor, the architect of Jan Suraj, descended upon the region for a series of grand road shows on November 4, 2025. With the Bihar Assembly elections in their final throes, Kishor's campaign blitz targeted the key constituencies of Barhara, Sandesh, Ara, and Shahpur, drawing thousands of supporters who showered his convoy with flower petals from JCB excavators—a spectacle that underscored the fervor of his grassroots movement. Clad in his signature white kurta, Kishor didn't just rally crowds; he unleashed a barrage of pointed critiques against the ruling NDA alliance, promising a radical overhaul of Bihar's political and economic landscape under Jan Suraj's banner.

The day began at Shakaddi Bazaar Chowk in Barhara, where Kishor's motorcade kicked off amid chants of "Jan Suraj Zindabad" and the crackle of firecrackers. Flanked by local Jan Suraj candidates—Saurabh Singh Yadav for Barhara, Rajiv Ranjan Singh for Sandesh, Dr. Vijay Gupta for Ara, and Dr. Padma Ojha for Shahpur—the procession snaked through bustling markets and rural lanes, pausing at Chandibazar Chowk in Sandesh before reaching the heart of Ara city. From Darhara Pul Chowk to Shishmahal Chowk, and finally culminating at Thana Chowk in Shahpur, the road show transformed into a carnival of political theater. Women in vibrant saris, youth on motorcycles waving Jan Suraj flags, and elders clutching garlands lined the streets, their enthusiasm a stark contrast to the fatigue many feel after decades of Bihar's turbulent politics.

Kishor's oratory, sharp as ever, cut through the humid afternoon like a thunderbolt. At Thana Chowk in Shahpur, addressing a sea of faces under a makeshift pandal, he zeroed in on the NDA's flagship partners—Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and the BJP—accusing them of perpetuating a cycle of migration and exploitation. "If you vote for the BJP, your son—who barely made it home for Chhath Puja—will pack his bags and head straight back to Gujarat for menial labor," Kishor thundered, his voice rising over the murmurs of agreement. He painted a vivid picture of Bihar's youth, burdened with sacks of hardship on their backs, migrating en masse to other states for survival. "Nitish and the BJP have strapped the yoke of wage labor on your children's shoulders. To free them, hand over a school bag instead. Support Jan Suraj, and let's build a new system in Bihar. After November 14, no Bihari child will need to flee to Gujarat for a job."

This wasn't mere rhetoric; it was a calculated strike at the heart of Bihar's perennial woes—unemployment and out-migration. Official data from the Bihar Economic Survey underscores the crisis: over 2.5 million Biharis work outside the state, remitting billions annually but at the cost of family disintegration and lost potential. Kishor, who rose to fame masterminding campaigns for Narendra Modi's 2014 victory and later for Nitish Kumar himself, knows the NDA's vulnerabilities intimately. His words resonated deeply in Shahpur, a constituency with a significant Muslim population and a history of economic neglect, where factories stand shuttered and fields lie fallow.

Turning his gaze to the Muslim community, Kishor issued a poignant appeal that blended pragmatism with historical caution. "Don't let the lantern burn with kerosene oil anymore," he urged, invoking the RJD's election symbol—the lantern—and its association with Lalu Prasad Yadav's era of "jungle raj." "This time, we must not bring back Lalu ji's world of kidnappings and extortion. Bihar deserves better than that dark chapter." The reference was loaded: the 1990s under Lalu's rule were marred by caste-based violence, economic stagnation, and infamous incidents like the 1997 fodder scam. For Shahpur's Muslims, who form a crucial voting bloc, Kishor's message was clear—reject the RJD's nostalgia-fueled comeback and embrace Jan Suraj's promise of inclusive governance. It was a masterstroke, positioning Jan Suraj as the moderate alternative in a polarized landscape where communal tensions simmer beneath the surface.

Earlier in Sandesh, Kishor's address took a more personal tone, excoriating Nitish Kumar's administration for what he called a "five-year loot." "For five years, Nitish's government allowed its officials to plunder the people," he declared to a crowd gathered under banyan trees. "Now, in a desperate bid for votes, they're doling out 10,000 rupees to women. This is your chance, your alternative—don't let them buy your future with pocket change so they can resume the plunder for another five years." The critique echoed widespread disillusionment with the Mahila Samman Yojana, Nitish's pre-election sop promising monthly stipends to women, which critics deride as a cynical ploy amid Bihar's dismal human development indices. Bihar ranks lowest in India for per capita income and female literacy, with corruption scandals routinely making headlines. Kishor's words landed like a gut punch, reminding voters that short-term handouts can't mask systemic failures.

As the road show wound through Ara, the district headquarters and a microcosm of Bihar's urban-rural divide, Kishor shifted gears to optimism, making bold pledges to the youth. "If Jan Suraj forms the government on November 14, those who returned home for Chhath won't have to leave their families behind for 10,000-12,000 rupees a month," he vowed. "We'll create local jobs—factories, agro-industries, skill centers—so Bihar's sons and daughters build their futures here." This vision aligns with Jan Suraj's manifesto, which emphasizes decentralization, anti-corruption measures, and investment in education and health. Kishor, a Yale-educated public health expert, has long advocated for data-driven reforms; his 2022 launch of Jan Suraj as a political party was born from frustration with Bihar's entrenched dynasties and inefficiency.

The road shows weren't just about speeches; they were immersive experiences of Jan Suraj's organizational muscle. Volunteers in yellow T-shirts distributed pamphlets outlining the party's 10-point agenda, from free electricity for farmers to universal healthcare. In Ara's crowded bazaars, local artists performed satirical skits mocking Nitish's flip-flops—his third alliance switch in a decade earning him the moniker "Paltu Ram." The convoy's JCB-led flower showers, a quirky yet memorable touch, symbolized Jan Suraj's intent to "uproot" the old order. Security was tight, with police out in force amid reports of rival campaign skirmishes elsewhere in Bihar, but the atmosphere remained jubilant, with no major disruptions.

Bhojpur, with its mix of upper-caste dominance and OBC-Muslim demographics, is a battleground where Jan Suraj hopes to dent the NDA's fortress. The BJP-JD(U) combine holds Ara and Shahpur, while allies control Barhara and Sandesh. Kishor's personal star power—honed from advising global leaders—could sway undecideds, especially after his 40-day padyatra earlier this year that traversed 3,000 kilometers and galvanized rural Bihar. Polls suggest Jan Suraj could emerge as a kingmaker, potentially securing 20-30 seats in the 243-member assembly, forcing coalitions to reckon with its demands.

Yet, challenges loom. Critics accuse Kishor of opportunism, pointing to his past NDA affiliations. The RJD dismisses him as a "B-team" of the BJP, while Nitish loyalists label his barbs as sour grapes. Undeterred, Kishor frames Jan Suraj as a people's movement, not a personality cult. "I'm not here to be chief minister," he often says. "I'm here to dismantle the system that breeds chief ministers like Nitish."

As dusk fell over Shahpur, with the road show dispersing into the twilight, one couldn't shake the sense of a turning tide. Prashant Kishor's Bhojpur blitz wasn't just a campaign stop; it was a manifesto in motion—a clarion call to reject migration's misery, jungle raj's shadows, and electoral bribes. In a state where politics is as much about survival as sovereignty, Jan Suraj's message of self-reliance struck a chord. Whether it translates to votes on November 20 remains to be seen, but on this November afternoon, Bhojpur pulsed with the possibility of a new Bihar—one where sons stay home, lanterns illuminate progress, and the yoke of labor lifts.

In the broader canvas of Bihar's elections, Kishor's foray highlights the stakes: a fractured opposition, a wily incumbent, and a youth bulge demanding change. With 6.6 crore voters set to decide the fate of 4,800 candidates, the road from Bhojpur to Patna is fraught with intrigue. For now, though, the echoes of Kishor's voice linger, urging Biharis to dream beyond the borders of Gujarat and the ghosts of the past.