Bihar Elections 2025: Jan-Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has begun campaigning in a high-profile Bihar assembly constituency of Raghopur – from where Rashtiya Janata Dal (RJD) chief, Tejashwi Yadav is the MLA. Kishor has challenged Tejashwi that if the two contest the polls against each other, it would be a defeat for the RJD leader. “The same fate as of Rahul Gandhi in Amethi,” Prashant Kishor, famously called PK, said remining people of time when Smriti Irani brought one of the biggest shocks in 2019 Lok Sabha polls by winning Amethi.
When asked if he would contest against Tejashwi Yadav, PK said if people would want him to, he would contest from here. But is the fight going to be easy?
Kishor said people in Tejashwi’s constituency, Raghopur, are fighting same evils of migration and corruption that entire Bihar is facing. He stressed that his party brings forth a suitable alternative for the voters of the region , a new option for them to try and believe.
“The leaders who are winning don’t have the fear that if they don’t work, the public won’t vote for them. Because, due to the lack of alternatives, people have been voting for Lalu Prasad Yadav and the BJP. Now, a new system of Jan Suraaj has been established, a new option has emerged, and we believe that the people of Bihar will be vigilant this time,” he said.
Raghopur – Bihar’s VIP seat that RJD snatched from JDU
RJD and JD(U) are the two parties that, till date, hold their ground strong in Bihar making it difficult even for their allies to make space. Historically, the most of the seats in Bihar have seen the shift from RJD to JDU or vice-versa.
Such has been the fate of Raghopur. The seat was once a stronghold for the RJD until JDU won it from them. However, RJD surprised all and Tejashwi Yadav won it in 2015 Bihar assembly elections.
Lalu Prasad Yadav has won the seat twice, while Rabri Devi secured it three times, serving as Chief Minister on both occasions. In 2010, JDU’s Satish Kumar had defeated Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi won it back in 2015.
Nothing changed in 2020 as well as Tejashwi Yadav secured another victory from Raghopur seat. Tejashwi Yadav has held the seat twice, in 2015 and 2020, and has served as Deputy CM and Leader of Opposition. But this time, the challenge and prestige at stake seems to be higher. Prashant Kishor has been campaigning in the entire state against both – NDA and INDIA bloc.
Nothing can be said about his performance in the polls, but what is sure is that he would pose a significant challenge to the two sides by dividing the vote share. If Raghopur sees Tejashwi Yadav vs Prashant Kishor‘s electoral battle, the JDU will have to field a stronger name to ensure they either turn the battle in their favour or at least make it tough for the other two.
Will Raghopur throw a surprise in 2025?
Prashant Kishor has based his campaign on the choices that people of Bihar have had so far. Now, he also launched attack on Tejashwi Yadav on the latter’s “government job” promise. Tejashwi recently promised that his government would enact a law to ensure that every household has an government job.
To this, PK said either Tejashwi is fool or “he is trying to fool people of Bihar”.
“The desire for change that has been visible across Bihar over the past three years is evident here as well, and the issue is the same. Leaders have gained power through the votes of the people. People have voted in the name of caste, religion, for drains, streets, for five kilos of grain, for temples, mosques. The leader who received votes became powerful, but there has been no change in people’s conditions,” Kishor said.
Raghopur will vote in the first phase on Nov 6 and the results will be announced on Nov 14.