Recent developments in Bihar politics have taken a new direction. Election strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party has caused quite a stir in the political landscape of the state. An internal letter within the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) has revealed the party’s concerns, indicating that Tejashwi Yadav is losing sleep over the situation. This letter, written by RJD Bihar chief Jagdanand Singh, is addressed to the party cadre.
RJD’s Concerns
Rise of Prashant Kishor: The main reason for RJD’s worry is Prashant Kishor’s preparation for the 2025 assembly elections. Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party has started trying to sway RJD’s cadre to their side, causing unrest among the RJD leadership.
Caste Issue: In his letter, Jagdanand Singh made a personal attack on Kishor’s surname. Caste identity is significant in Bihar, and RJD attempted to stir caste sentiments against Kishor, whose surname is ‘Pandey’. Singh referred to Kishor as ‘Prashant Kishor or Prashant Kishor Pandey’ to alert RJD supporters.
BJP Connection: The letter also labels Jan Suraaj Party as the B team of BJP. Singh claimed that Jan Suraaj is controlled and funded by BJP and its religious leaders. This allegation is seen as a strategy to turn RJD supporters against Kishor.
Importance of RJD’s Cadre
Building the Cadre: In its early years, RJD relied on strong individuals like Mohammad Shahabuddin, Pappu Yadav, and Subhash Yadav. These leaders were influential in their regions and ensured a vote bank for the party.
Loyal Cadre: After coming to power, RJD’s cadre base strengthened. People joined the party under the leadership of Lalu Prasad Yadav, building a loyal cadre committed to social justice.
Election Management: In the pre-EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) era, cadre loyalty often led to allegations of booth capturing. People frequently cited incidents of booth looting during the so-called ‘jungle raj’, although they never proved these accusations.
Impact of Prashant Kishor
Jan Suraaj’s Strategy: Prashant Kishor’s journey focuses on three main aspects: issues, solutions, and the effectiveness of the current political system. Kishor and his team are rallying people around his vision for the state.
Critique of Voting Patterns: Kishor has openly criticized people for their voting patterns, which are primarily based on party, religion, and caste. His team is providing blueprints for solving local problems, attracting people to their cause.
Change in Political Dynamics: Bihar’s political dynamics have remained largely stable over the past three decades, with caste and religion playing dominant roles. Kishor’s movement is conveying that merely talking about development is no longer enough to win votes.
Conclusion
RJD’s concern stems from the growing influence of Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party. Kishor’s strategy and the focus of his party on social justice issues pose a significant challenge for RJD. This new twist in Bihar politics could be crucial in the upcoming assembly elections.
We still need to see how Kishor’s rise and his party’s impact will reshape Bihar’s political scenario. RJD will need to consider new strategies to keep their cadre strong and mitigate Kishor’s influence.
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