In a significant political development, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has offered crucial advice to renowned political strategist Prashant Kishor following his disappointing performance in the recent Bihar assembly elections. The senior BJP leader outlined what he described as two fundamental ways to run a democracy during his interaction with journalists.
The Political Context and Background
The advice comes at a critical juncture in Prashant Kishor's political career. The celebrated election strategist, who had worked with numerous political parties across India, decided to take the plunge into active politics himself. However, his political outfit, Jan Suraaj, failed to make a significant impact in the Bihar assembly polls held earlier this year.
Fadnavis made these remarks while addressing media personnel on Sunday, November 24, 2024. The Maharashtra Deputy CM, known for his sharp political acumen, shared his perspective on the challenges of democratic politics and what it takes to succeed in the complex Indian political landscape.
Fadnavis's Two Pathways to Democratic Success
According to Devendra Fadnavis, there are essentially two distinct approaches to operating successfully within a democratic framework. While he didn't elaborate extensively on the specifics, political observers interpret this as referring to the difference between being a political strategist versus being an active politician.
The first approach likely involves working behind the scenes as a strategist, crafting election campaigns, and influencing political outcomes without directly facing the electorate. This was Prashant Kishor's original role, where he achieved remarkable success with various political parties including the BJP, Congress, and several regional parties.
The second approach involves direct political engagement - contesting elections, building grassroots organizations, and facing public scrutiny directly. This is the path Kishor has recently chosen with his Jan Suraaj initiative in Bihar, which has so far yielded limited electoral dividends.
Analyzing Prashant Kishor's Political Journey
Prashant Kishor's transition from celebrated political strategist to active politician has been challenging. After working on numerous successful campaigns, including Narendra Modi's 2014 prime ministerial bid and the YSR Congress's victory in Andhra Pradesh, Kishor decided to launch his own political movement in his home state of Bihar.
His Jan Suraaj initiative was launched with considerable fanfare and was seen as a potential disruptor in Bihar politics. However, the recent assembly elections demonstrated the difficulties of converting strategic expertise into electoral success. The organization failed to win any significant number of seats, marking a setback in Kishor's political ambitions.
Political analysts suggest that Fadnavis's comments reflect a broader truth about Indian politics - that success as a strategist doesn't automatically translate to success as a politician. The skills required for each role, while related, are fundamentally different in execution and public expectation.
Broader Implications for Indian Democracy
Fadnavis's remarks come at a time when the role of political strategists in Indian democracy is increasingly under scrutiny. The emergence of professional election consultants has transformed how political campaigns are conducted, with data analytics and sophisticated messaging becoming central to electoral strategies.
However, the Bihar experience with Prashant Kishor suggests that grassroots political work and direct public connection remain irreplaceable components of democratic success. No amount of strategic planning can substitute for the hard work of building political organizations and earning public trust over time.
The Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister's advice also highlights the different skill sets required in politics. While strategic thinking is valuable, successful politicians must also master public communication, organizational building, and the art of political negotiation - skills that are developed through experience rather than theoretical knowledge.
As Indian democracy continues to evolve, the interaction between professional strategists and traditional political processes will likely remain a subject of intense discussion and analysis. Fadnavis's comments provide valuable insight into how established political leaders view this relatively new phenomenon in Indian politics.
The coming months will be crucial for Prashant Kishor as he decides how to respond to this electoral setback and whether to recalibrate his political approach. Fadnavis's advice, coming from an experienced political leader, might influence how Kishor shapes the next phase of his political journey.
