By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Prashant Kishor, the convenor of Jan Suraaj, has announced his plans to launch a new political party on October 2, aiming to create a fresh alternative in Bihar politics. For nearly two years, Kishor has been conducting a padayatra across the state, engaging with the public and building support. He has consistently been adding new members to his movement, gearing up for a significant political push.
Kishor has introduced a ‘3S’ strategy, which he believes will serve as a critical tool in challenging the Nitish Kumar-led government. The ‘3S’ refers to the three key issues of prohibition (Sharab Bandi), surveys (land survey), and smart meters, which Kishor asserts will act as the “three nails in the coffin” of the current administration.
The first ‘S’, prohibition, has long been a controversial topic in Bihar. Kishor has criticised Nitish Kumar’s prohibition policy, alleging that those close to the Chief Minister continue to consume alcohol despite the ban. He claims the illegal liquor trade is thriving in the state. According to Kishor, Bihar suffers an annual loss of approximately ₹20,000 crores due to prohibition, which could instead be channelled towards improving education. He has promised that, if his party comes to power, the prohibition law will be abolished within 15 minutes.
The second ‘S’, land surveys, has also stirred unrest in Bihar. The Nitish government initiated a statewide land survey with the aim of documenting land ownership. However, Kishor and other critics argue that the process has been poorly planned, causing widespread confusion and disputes within families. Kishor contends that the government has no reliable land records and is unfairly asking citizens to produce genealogies and Khatian documents, exacerbating corruption.
The third ‘S’ focuses on the issue of smart meters, which have been a source of significant discontent among the public. Many residents have complained about the increased financial burden due to inflated electricity bills. While the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress are preparing to protest against smart meters, the ruling Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have accused the opposition of spreading misinformation. Kishor has joined the fray, accusing the government of ignoring the struggles of the people.
Political analysts have offered mixed views on Kishor’s ‘3S’ strategy. Ravi Upadhyay, a seasoned commentator, believes that while the smart meter issue could become a major headache for the Nitish government, prohibition has largely been beneficial for Bihar. As for the land survey, Upadhyay acknowledged the need for reforms but remained optimistic about its long-term potential to digitise land records and provide future convenience for the public.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Nikhil Anand has dismissed Kishor’s strategies, expressing confidence that the government will remain under Nitish Kumar’s leadership. He insisted that Prashant Kishor’s plans would not succeed in Bihar’s political landscape.
As Bihar braces for the upcoming announcement on October 2, it remains to be seen how the public will react to these critical issues raised by Kishor.
