Politics – Prashant Kishor Moves to Ashram Ahead of Bihar Poll Campaign
Politics – Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor has moved to an ashram located on the outskirts of Patna, saying he will continue guiding the party’s political activities from there until the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Speaking to journalists in Darbhanga on Wednesday, Kishor said he left his Patna residence on Tuesday night and has now settled at Bihar Navnirman Ashram near IIT-Patna. According to him, the ashram will serve as his base while the party prepares to strengthen its position before the state elections.
Shift Marks New Phase for Jan Suraaj
The former political strategist stated that the move reflects his commitment to building the Jan Suraaj Party at the grassroots level. Kishor expressed confidence that the party would establish a meaningful presence in Bihar politics by the time voters head to the polls.
Before relocating, Kishor had been operating from Sheikhpura House, a large bungalow near Patna airport linked to Uday Singh, the national president of the Jan Suraaj Party and a former BJP MP.
Uday Singh comes from a well-known political family in Bihar. His brother, N K Singh, previously served in the Rajya Sabha and also chaired the 15th Finance Commission. Their late mother, Madhuri Singh, was a senior Congress leader and represented Purnea in Parliament several times.
Criticism of Nitish Kumar and Bihar Leadership
During the interaction with reporters, Kishor strongly criticised former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. Referring to Kumar’s recent political transition to the Rajya Sabha, Kishor said leaders who failed to stop migration caused by unemployment and economic hardship should first answer public concerns before seeking new political roles.
He also made indirect remarks regarding Nishant Kumar’s growing political visibility in the BJP-led government headed by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. Kishor suggested that established leaders were focusing more on securing political space for family members rather than addressing the state’s economic and social challenges.
Appeal to Voters Before Elections
Kishor urged people in Bihar to vote after considering long-term public welfare instead of caste equations, religion, or financial incentives. He said voters should think about employment opportunities, education, and the future of their children while participating in elections.
According to him, emotional appeals and personality-driven politics should not influence public decisions. He also warned against accepting money or benefits in exchange for votes, stressing that Bihar’s future depends on responsible political participation.
His remarks were widely interpreted as criticism of recent welfare initiatives announced ahead of the assembly elections, including schemes that provided financial assistance to women beneficiaries across the state.
Warning Over Economic Challenges
Kishor also spoke about possible economic pressure linked to developments in West Asia. He claimed that any escalation in the region could directly affect India’s fuel supply and agriculture sector.
He warned that petrol and diesel prices might rise significantly in the coming months. In addition, he expressed concern about the availability of fertilisers, saying farmers who already struggle with black marketing and supply issues could face more serious shortages if the situation worsens.
The Jan Suraaj leader said these economic concerns could create additional pressure on ordinary families and the farming community in Bihar.
Questions Raised on Government Spending
Kishor further targeted Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary over alleged government extravagance. He questioned the scale of official residences and related maintenance expenses in a state that continues to face poverty and infrastructure challenges.
He alleged that the chief minister’s residential complex occupies a large area and claimed there were plans to further expand the premises by merging nearby government accommodation previously used during Choudhary’s tenure as deputy chief minister.
According to Kishor, governments should focus more on improving public services and economic conditions instead of increasing administrative luxury.