Jan Suraaj Navigates Post-Election Turmoil After Bihar Defeat
Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj is grappling with the aftermath of its poor performance in the Bihar Assembly elections. The party faced a significant loss in its electoral debut last year. Now, it is undergoing internal changes to rebuild its structure and focus.
Leadership Dissolves Committees for Fresh Start
In response to the defeat, Jan Suraaj dissolved all its internal committees in November. The party aims to replace these with elected committees. This move is part of a broader strategy to move away from a nominated leadership culture.
Manoj Bharti, the Bihar Jan Suraaj president, explained the decision. He stated, "We are learning from our mistakes. We have dissolved our committees at all levels as it had nominated members. We will hold organisational elections to get elected members right down to our booth-level committees."
Bharti emphasized the need for committed leaders and a devoted workforce. He added, "We want committed leaders and a devoted workforce." This restructuring is seen as a crucial step for the party's future growth.
High-Profile Exits Add to Challenges
The party is also dealing with the departure of key figures. Bhojpuri singer Ritesh Pandey announced his exit from Jan Suraaj on Monday. Pandey cited his commitment to his music career as the reason for leaving.
He had contested the Assembly polls from Kargahar in Rohtas district. Unfortunately, he did not succeed in winning the seat. His resignation marks a setback for the party's public image.
Meanwhile, former Union Minister RCP Singh has hinted at a possible return to the Janata Dal (United). Singh attended a Makar Sankranti event where he praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He remarked, "Nitish Kumar and I are the same."
Singh had merged his Aap Sabki Awaz party with Jan Suraaj last May. His daughter Lata contested from the Asthawan Assembly seat as a Jan Suraaj candidate. She also faced defeat in the elections.
Party Downplays Significance of Departures
Jan Suraaj leadership has tried to minimize the impact of these exits. Bharti commented on the situation, saying, "We feel that those leaving us have never been with us. The party is getting filtered and only original Jan Suraajis will stay back."
This statement reflects the party's focus on building a core group of dedicated members. It suggests a process of natural selection within the organization.
Prashant Kishor's Role and Future Plans
Prashant Kishor has kept a low profile since the Assembly poll defeat. His meeting with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in December sparked speculation. However, the party indicates he will resume public activities in February.
Bharti mentioned, "Though we have not yet got his schedule, he will be active in Bihar soon." The party plans to launch long-term programs once the new committees are in place.
Election Performance and Key Initiatives
Jan Suraaj contested 238 seats in the Bihar Assembly polls. The results were disappointing. Candidates lost their deposits in 235 seats. The party secured only 3.4% of the total votes.
In contrast, the NDA won a landslide victory with 202 out of 243 seats. One factor in this outcome was the Mukymantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana. This scheme provided financial assistance to women entrepreneurs.
It was announced just before the elections. Over 1.62 crore women received the first instalment of Rs 10,000. This initiative helped the NDA gain significant support.
After the polls, Kishor focused on beneficiaries of this scheme. He sought applications from those who did not receive the second instalment. This move aimed to address grievances and connect with voters.
Looking Ahead: Organisational Elections and Strategy
Jan Suraaj is now preparing for organisational elections. These elections will cover all levels, including booth committees. The goal is to create a more democratic and engaged party structure.
The party acknowledges the need for a reset after its electoral setback. By learning from mistakes, it hopes to build a stronger foundation for future contests.
As the political landscape in Bihar evolves, Jan Suraaj's efforts to reinvent itself will be closely watched. The coming months will test its ability to recover and grow.
