Prashant Kishor Says Won't Contest Bihar Election, Predicts NDA Defeat | Read

Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, whose Jan Suraaj Party is making a poll debut in the upcoming Bihar election, will not be contesting the polls. Putting all speculation to rest, Kishor told news agency PTI that he would not contest the polls, and would instead focus on organisational work.

That Kishor won't fight the election was clear last night when Jan Suraaj announced Chanchal Singh as its candidate for the Raghopur Assembly seat. Kishor had earlier said that if he contests the polls, he would do so from Kargahar, his home constituency, or Raghopur, an RJD stronghold. In its first list, Jan Suraaj announced Ritesh Ranjan (Pandey) as its candidate from Kargahar. Chanchal Singh's choice for Raghopur confirmed that Kishor has decided not to fight the polls. Raghopur is an RJD bastion represented by Tejashwi Yadav and Kishor would have faced an uphill battle if he chose to contest. Contesting the polls would also tie down the Jan Suraaj founder to one constituency and hit the party's campaign because he is its most prominent face.