The Architect Behind the Throne
For over a decade, Prashant Kishor was the éminence grise of Indian politics. As the nation’s most formidable political strategist, he was the unseen hand, the scriptwriter behind the throne, the man whose Midas touch turned electoral campaigns into historic victories. From Narendra Modi’s groundbreaking “Chai Pe Charcha” in 2014 to Mamata Banerjee’s defiant “Khela Hobe” in 2021, Kishor’s data-driven playbook became the stuff of legend. Operating from air-conditioned war rooms, he was the ultimate kingmaker, shaping political destinies with surgical precision.
But today, the kingmaker has swapped the war room for the dusty, sun-scorched lanes of Bihar. The man who crafted winning slogans for others is now crafting his own political narrative, one gruelling step at a time. This is the story of Prashant Kishor‘s journey from a backroom strategist to a frontline political participant.
A Legacy of Unprecedented Victories
Kishor’s journey as a strategist began with a meteoric rise. His firm, I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee), became the go-to destination for any leader seeking a surefire path to power. After orchestrating the BJP’s landslide win in 2014, he proved his versatility by scripting a stunning victory for the Mahagathbandhan against the BJP in Bihar in 2015.
His winning streak continued across the country with leaders like:
* Jagan Mohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh
* Amarinder Singh in Punjab
* M.K. Stalin in Tamil Nadu
He was, without a doubt, the most sought-after political consultant in the nation.
A Shift From Advisor to Actor
However, beneath the surface of success, a sense of disillusionment was brewing. Kishor’s brief and rocky tenure as the National Vice President of the Janata Dal (United) ended in expulsion, a clear sign that fitting into existing political structures was not his forte. Later, his high-profile negotiations to join and revamp the Indian National Congress collapsed spectacularly.
It became evident that Prashant Kishor was no longer content with just advising; he wanted to drive the change himself. The established parties were either unwilling or unable to hand him the keys to implement his vision for systemic reform.
Jan Suraaj: The Pivot to Grassroots Politics
This frustration culminated in the most significant pivot of his career: the ‘Jan Suraaj‘ (Good Governance) campaign. In October 2022, Prashant Kishor embarked on a 3,500-kilometre ‘padyatra’ (foot march) across his home state of Bihar.
This is not a typical political rally. It is a grassroots, long-haul effort to connect with people directly, understand their problems, and build a new political alternative from the ground up. The ‘Jan Suraaj‘ movement is Kishor’s attempt to bypass the entrenched caste-based politics and dynastic power structures that have dominated Bihar for decades. His message is one of systemic change, based on the principles of “Sahi Log, Sahi Soch, Samuhik Prayas” (Right People, Right Thought, Collective Effort).
The Strategist’s Ultimate Gamble
Skeptics question whether a strategist, accustomed to analysing data and crafting media narratives, can endure the relentless grind of grassroots politics. Can the man who advised powerful leaders truly connect with the common citizen? Is ‘Jan Suraaj‘ a genuine movement for political reform or the most elaborate strategy ever devised to launch a new party?
Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Prashant Kishor is no longer content pulling strings from behind the curtain. He has stepped onto the stage, under the full glare of the political spotlight. The journey from analysing the game to playing it is his biggest challenge yet, as the man who wrote winning scripts for others now bets everything on writing one for himself.
