NEW DELHI: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Wednesday announced that he has relocated to an ashram on the outskirts of Patna, where he will reside until the next assembly elections in Bihar. Speaking to reporters in Darbhanga, Kishor stated, "Last night, I shifted out of my previous residence in Patna. The Bihar Navnirman Ashram, located near IIT-Patna, will be my home until the next assembly polls, when the Jan Suraaj Party hopes to make a significant impact." This move comes months after the former poll strategist launched his party but failed to secure any seats in the Bihar assembly.
Background and Political Context
Until now, Kishor had been operating from 'Sheikhpura House', a spacious bungalow near Patna airport owned by the family of Jan Suraaj national president and former BJP MP Uday Singh. The Singh family is one of Bihar's most prominent political families. Uday Singh's brother, NK Singh, is a former Rajya Sabha MP and former chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, while their late mother, Madhuri Singh, was a senior Congress leader and multiple-term MP from Purnea.
Criticism of Nitish Kumar
Kishor also targeted former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar after Kumar's son was inducted into the Bihar cabinet. "The one who got elected as chief minister after the elections was unable to stop migration caused by economic distress. Instead, he chose to migrate himself, but not before ensuring that his son gets a foothold," Kishor said. He urged voters in Bihar to prioritise their own interests rather than vote based on caste, religion, or monetary inducements. "The people of Bihar must think about the future of their own children while casting votes. They should not get swayed by leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nitish Kumar, or Lalu Prasad, nor should they sell their votes for Rs 10,000," he added. This remark was seen as a reference to the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, launched ahead of the assembly elections, under which over 1.5 crore women received Rs 10,000 each.
Economic Warnings
Kishor also warned of potential economic challenges arising from the situation in West Asia, claiming that fuel prices could rise sharply and fertiliser shortages may worsen. "People may witness an increase in petrol and diesel prices by up to Rs 10 per litre. We may also face a major fertiliser crisis. Till now, farmers complained of black marketing; now they may face outright unavailability," he said.
