
Will Brahmins Form Bedrock Of Support For Prashant Kishor In Bihar?
To be fair to Kishor, despite being born a Brahmin, he has not explicitly positioned Jan Suraaj as a Brahmin-centric party.
As poll fever gradually grips Bihar, political parties are gearing up for the campaign. The main rivals, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United) (JDU), and some minor partners, and the INDI Alliance, primarily made up of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress with a few minor players, are in the process of preparing their strategies. Meanwhile, the newcomer Jan Suraaj Party is already pushing ahead with full vigour.
Prashant Kishor, a notable poll manager turned politician and Jan Suraaj Party's founder is often compared to Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi politics, even though he dislikes the comparison. This label has stuck due to his intense criticism of 'failed political leadership,' a tactic Kejriwal used effectively to gain power.
Although our constitution aims to create a casteless society, Indian politics remains dominated by caste. A progressive leader with broad societal appeal still needs a caste or community vote base to survive in India's political landscape. A prime example is former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) founder Arvind Kejriwal.
Kejriwal initially rose to prominence on an anti-corruption movement, but he managed to stay in power for almost 12 years with the support of the Bania caste, to which he belongs and which comprises six percent of Delhi's voters. While the Banias voted for the BJP in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, they shifted their support to Kejriwal in the 2015 and 2020 Delhi assembly polls.
The Aam Aadmi Party could be removed from power in the 2025 assembly elections only if the Banias shift their support to the BJP. Prashant Kishor, who personally handled AAP's campaign and management during the 2020 polls and remotely controlled the 2025 polls through his company, understands this dynamic well.
As Jan Suraaj's leader in Bihar, Kishor emphasises moving beyond caste-based politics, focusing instead on governance, education, and employment. However, in a state where caste dynamics are deeply rooted, his upper-caste background, which he may not publicly acknowledge, limits his appeal among backward and marginalised communities. Rival parties emphasise his caste to consolidate their support bases, further complicating this perception.
To be fair to Kishor, despite being born a Brahmin, he has not explicitly positioned Jan Suraaj as a Brahmin-centric party. Instead, he aims to build a broad-based coalition that transcends traditional caste alignments. This approach includes fielding candidates from diverse backgrounds, including Muslims, to appeal to a wider electorate.
However, given the caste dynamics in Bihar's politics, Kishor the strategist knows he needs a caste vote base to launch his party and gain broader support. This initial support in Bihar could best come from his own community in the post-Mandal era.
One of the after-effects of Mandal politics in Bihar has been the marginalisation of Brahmins. Once a dominant community in Bihar politics, Brahmins, who provided five chief ministers to the state before the Mandal era, have lost prominence in all political parties. Given that Prashant Kishor is a Brahmin, the community might agree to be his party's vote foundation or continue supporting the BJP-JD (U) at the state level and candidates from their community from other parties at the local level.
The Brahmin community in Bihar is at a crossroads. While their affiliation with parties like the BJP and JD(U) has provided a semblance of political inclusion, the promise of greater representation and development offered by Jan Suraaj presents a compelling alternative. They understand they have little space in the opposition alliance, where a recent statement by an RJD MLA indicated that Brahmins in politics today are on the back foot.
Brahmins in Bihar constitute about 4 percent of the population, with three major sub-castes: Maithil, Kanyakubj-Saryupari, and Shakaldweepi. Maithils are predominantly in the north of Bihar, Kanyakubj are mainly in south Bihar and the Bhojpuri-speaking districts of north Bihar bordering Uttar Pradesh, while Shakaldweepi are fewer in number but spread across most districts with a major concentration in the Magadh region. There may be some smaller sub-castes as well.
In a largely 'lawless' state like Bihar, the Brahmins' support for the BJP and JD(U) has provided them with a sense of security, albeit with limited representation. Shifting allegiance to a nascent party like Jan Suraaj would require assurance of tangible benefits and representation.
Kishor's focus on development and governance could resonate with Brahmins seeking a return to political relevance. His emphasis on systemic issues rather than caste-based mobilisation offers an alternative narrative that might attract educated and urban Brahmins disillusioned with traditional politics.
However, elections in Bihar are won more in its villages than in its towns and cities. According to the caste census, 89 percent of Bihar's population is rural. Only time will tell whether the Brahmin community will become the bedrock of Jan Suraaj's support or continue their allegiance to established political entities.
The writer is author and president, Centre for Reforms, Development & Justice. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views.
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
28 minutes ago
- The Hindu
West Bengal police launches helpline for migrant workers facing harassment in other States
Amidst reports of targeting of migrant workers from West Bengal in BJP-ruled States, the West Bengal police have started a helpline number for workers to seek assistance. Responding to the development, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari shared his email-id and added that any citizen of the State who is 'harassed by Mamata's police' may reach out to him. The West Bengal police in a social media post stated that they are receiving 'reports from various sources that many people from Bengal, who have gone to work in other states, are facing various problems and instances of harassment'. 'If any citizen from Bengal working in another state faces any kind of trouble, we appeal to them or their family members to immediately inform their local police station. You may also contact the district control room,' the police said in the post. The West Bengal police in the social media post said that the helpline number is 9147727666 which will be available only on WhatsApp and the people can send a message there with the necessary information, including your name and address. 'Each piece of information will be verified, and we will coordinate with the concerned state authorities to take the necessary action,' the police said. According to West Bengal Chief Minister about 1000 migrants from the State were detained in other States. There have been reports of detention of migrant workers in BJP ruled states on allegations of being Bangladeshi nationals. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari called the post by West Bengal police politically motivated to mislead Bengalis residing in various parts of India for work, so that they become alarmed and confused. 'Across the Indian subcontinent, Indian Bengalis and Hindu refugees are not facing any problems. However, Hindu Bengalis living in West Bengal are frequently harassed by the police. I appeal to them—and to Indian Hindus from other states, regardless of the language they speak, who are residing in any district of West Bengal for work—if you have been harassed by the police. (Mamata's police), please feel free to inform me with details via email,' the BJP leader posted on social media. Mr. Adhikari urged any aware citizen of West Bengal, 'if you come across information about Rohingya Muslims or illegal Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators residing in any district of West Bengal—please share the details with me at this email address My email ID is: adhikarisuvenduwb1@ '. 'I will ensure the information reaches the appropriate authorities,' the LOP said. Mr. Adhikari on Saturday claimed that there are 1.25 crore illegal immigrants in the voters' list of West Bengal, and all of them will be sent back following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the rolls.

Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
New US-Russia Nuclear Deal? Trump Sounds Alarm As Defiant Putin Sends 'July Storm' Message To NATO
'No Runners-Up In War': CDS Anil Chauhan, Declares India's Op Sindoor Remains Active 24X7, 365 Days A sea of saffron, white, and green flooded the streets of Male as PM Narendra Modi landed in the Maldives to a thunderous welcome by the Indian diaspora. Children performed traditional dances, locals waved flags, and emotional expatriates, some living in the Maldives for over two decades, gathered to chant his name and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jay' in scenes rarely witnessed abroad. PM Modi, attending the 60th Independence Day of Maldives as the Guest of Honour, became the first foreign leader received by President Mohamed Muizzu since he assumed office. From cultural performances to diplomatic overtures, the visit was a vibrant mix of symbolism and strategy. As India seeks to reset ties with Male amid China's growing footprint, Modi's presence, and the crowd's response, sent a powerful message about India's people-first diplomacy.#operationsindoor #anilchauhan #india #pakistan #terrorism #pok #pahalgamattack #indianarmy #cdsstatement #pokstrike #indiaretaliates #terrorresponse #dronewarfare #newdoctrine #let #pahalgamrevenge #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews 10.1K views | 1 day ago


Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
With events across state, SP renewsresolve to protect quota, Constitution
Lucknow: To renew its "resolve to protect the reservation system enshrined in Indian Constitution", the Samajwadi Party functionaries on Saturday assembled in large numbers across the state to observe July 26 as the Samvidhan Mansthambh Divas. Party workers attended special events organised to outline the ways and means that the BJP government has devised to subvert the right to reservation and constitutional frameworks to undermine the rights of the oppressed and exploited sections of the society. The party leaders across the state cited outsourcing of government jobs as a major onslaught on right to reservation. They explained in detail to people how the BJP has devised the "Not Found Suitable" option to deny jobs to PDA community members in various universities, colleges and institutes. They also cited how the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls for Bihar elections was another covert attempt of the BJP to change the Constitutional practices in use since Independence. Party's national president Akhilesh Yadav mooted the idea of observing July 26 as the Samvidhan Mansthambh Divas and had called upon the party functionaries to hold events to inform the masses how their right to reservation was being curtailed by the present BJP government by impeding constitutional provisions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Take A Deep Breath Before You See Him Now The Noodle Box Undo On Saturday, he congratulated the party leaders for successfully holding the event at such a large scale. He said Samvidhan Mansthambh Divas encapsulates the spirit of PDA Prakashsthamb which is about lighting up the path for the Pichhde (backward classes) Dalits and Alpsankhyaks (minorities) to reclaims their rights as enshrined in the Constitution and which they were being deprived of by the BJP in a systematic manner. SP MP from Azamgarh Dharmendra Yadav, who was the chief guest of the Samvidhan Mansthambh Divas event held in Jaunpur, called upon the PDA community to come forward to help save the Constitution and protect reservation. In Mainpuri, SP MLA from Karhal Tej Pratap Yadav chaired the event and urged the "oppressed sections of the society" to rise and voice their concerns by dislodging the BJP from the government. Senior party functionary Rajpal Kashyap, who chaired one of the most largely attended event of the day held in Shahjahanpur, underlined the evolution of PDA since the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He said the PDA needs to stay together in the days to come and take on the BJP and its attempt to deprive the neglected lot its due. In Lucknow, former MLC Dr Madhu Gupta, MLA Arman Khan and district president Faqir Siddiqui addressed the gathering and underlined the need to voice concerns against BJP's attempts to subvert constitutional traditions.