Rise of Prashant Kishore and Similar Solo Players In Politics

by Alok K. Shrivastava, IAS (R)Aug 9, 2026Blogs0 comments

So another leader seems to have emerged over the turbulent waters of political horizon of India when ruling alliance in the Centre is facing rough weather or may be one of its trying days if rise of similar voices in few states in the past are to be taken into account.

Prashant Kishore or P.K. after delinking himself from J.D.U., began his sustained Padyatra all over state prior to 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. With so many qualified and clean functionaries, he would have never imagined to lose all the seats his new outfit Jan Suraj Party contested, by securing barely 3.44% votes.

In view of his being Election Strategist for BJP, JDU,TMC and DMK one after another, looks someone advised him prematurely that time was ripe for him to try his hand in a land full of divisions based on caste, class and community.

Importance of Bankipur

Coming to Bankipur, one of the four seats of urban Patna, it was not a upper caste bastion but they had a sizeable say for three decades.Or else Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha, a Kayastha and Nitin Nabin, his son would not have occupied it from 1995 onwards.

In the resounding win of P.K., BJP has failed in its first electoral test they got after their first Chief Minister in Samrat Choudhary. Needless to say, he has been in the midst of controversies on account of his educational status, criminal background and erratic decisions, right from day one.

A Different Strategy

P.K.’s strategy of personal connection through direct outreach, penetrating into streets and lanes could mobilise the voters swiftly as opposed to engagement of over 200 leaders by the BJP.

The winning candidate may be right in saying that issues, such as, education, health care, employment and development deserve to over ride caste, religion and free ration factors OR ELSE electoral verdicts are going to be different(in future).

Was it a contest between two organisational models in which fast dominating social media had a certain say ? Only time would say. But voters even after getting disillusioned often act otherwise.

Two Electoral Losses

Another notable difference this time has been loss of ruling party in Datia bye election in M.P. despite their confident claim to the contrary. Like Bankipur, trusted and more competent BJP functionaries were overlooked by the party in favour of inexperienced new comers. Experienced old timers are reported to have taken revenge and the ultimate message seems to have come from rural areas where turnout of votes was nearly 78%.

Arrogance factor may have also mattered in a way in both the constituencies in view of what a BJP M.P. said ” Even a dog or cat fielded by party could win.”

A senior BJP leader is of the view that two setbacks convey that their own core support base can change minds of voters.They can not be blind captives to the narratives from top.

Consolation in Manjalpur

Manjalpur Assembly seat in Gujarat however, was retained by BJP but with a reduced victory margin. After a long time, however, the saffron clad confident lots did not have access to victory celebrations. Its high time writing on the wall is read by political workers, volunteers and highly paid consultants of the “largest party” of the world.

PEEP INTO PAST

If we go back to past especially from 1974 onwards, a few leaders like P.K. have not only emerged on political stage of states but later they could fire shots at the national level also. Instances could be : Asaddudin Owaisi, Chandrashekhar Azad and Jairam Mahto of Jharkhand.

Dawn of a new political era in Tamil Nadu under the stewardship of relatively young C.Joseph Vijay also has to be taken rather seriously.

First in recent times, name of Sharad Yadav comes to mind. When J.P. movement was at its peak, this non descript student leader won a Parliamentary Election from Jabalpur without support of any political party. Being a prominent youth leader, he increased his base and contact to become member of Lok Sabha seven times and that of Rajya Sabha, four times. Though his Karmbhumi continued to be Madhepura in Bihar (won four times from here) he was elected to Parliament from three different states : Bihar, M.P. and U.P. He also served as Cabinet Minister under V.P.Singh and A.B. Vajpayee. He continued to head JDU, a major opposition party till his death on January 12, 2023.

Gujarat Scenario

Almost at this time, resentment started growing against the Government of Chiman Bhai Patel in Gujarat.
Students & youth spearheaded the movement as miseries of common man were rising beyond imagination. A time came when Nav Nirman Samiti led movement blessed by Jai Prakash Narayan succeeded in over throwing C.B.Patel.

Experience gained came to ready use when movement against the then Central Government spread to major parts of the country, culminating into formation of Janta Party in January 1977.

Hardik Patel

Another youth leader by the name of Hardik Patel began mobilizing people in Gujarat much later and went on shaking political arena substantially. However, he forgot his principles and commitment made to his followers when the current ruling party won over him. As long as he was active, he could shake establishments in many towns and suburbs.

Lessons To Draw From Youth Led Assam Agitation

Assam movement, also known as Anti-foreigners agitation aimed to protect the identity of Assamese people, took birth in 1978 to wind up in 1985. Spearheaded by All Assam Students Union (ASSU), it carried on sustained civil disobedience, coupled with violence off and on, for seven years.

Partly successful , determined youth decided to withdraw agitation when the then Congress Government led by Rajiv Gandhi offered signing of Assam Accord in 1985. Thus way for formation of new political party-Assam Gana Parishad was paved at Golaghat after Hiteshwar Saikia Government was dismissed as per firm commitment of the then P.M.

Can we expect such a bold step from the present incumbent in national interest ?

Upon getting a majority of 92 seats in a house of 126 in 1985 and repeating its performance with reduced share of seats in 1996 elections, new party succeded in forming Government under the leadership of P.K.Mahanta twice but disagreements within the party were visible sooner than later. Despite resignation of Bhrigu Pukhan, one of its three founders in 1991 and subsequent split this time by P.K.Mahanta in 2005, the relatively new outfit joined ruling alliances at the centre thrice under the Prime Ministership of V.P. Singh, H.D.Deve Gowda and I.K.Gujral.

Personal ambition and lack of seriousness seems to have prevailed over the erstwhile student leaders as the time passed by. From a leading light of the neglected North East, it began playing a non- descript partner under a controversial Chief Minister.

The outfit came to power over the issue of Citizenship but now its members look divided over the issue of C.A.A.

Needless to say, present C.M.of Assam is playing this card to the hilt, rather with vengeance.

To Sum Up

Starting with election of P.K. and loss of BJP in Datia, we have seen how events and circumstances can take a turn. But not always interest generated can be sustained. During the seventies we had upheavals led by young leaders in M.P., Gujarat, Bihar and ultimately Assam. Key issues may have been ignored and forgotten even over a period of time. But attempts at change were made, nevertheless.

Voters having some impact and guidance from social media is not going to take things lying down now. Education & employment close by, should be the key factors.

Not only average voter has to be educated and more aware, a minimum qualification for becoming a people’s representative too will have to be prescribed in BLACK & WHITE.