Padyatra to Politics: Jan Suraaj Emerges as a New Contender in Bihar’s Political Fray

On October 2nd, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha witnessed yet another historical moment as Bihar’s Veterinary College Ground in Patna became the gathering hub for lakhs. The event marked the “Foundation Convention” of the newly formed Jan Suraaj Party, a political entity led by political strategist Prashant Kishor. 

The party’s leadership, joined by notable figures such as educationist K C Sinha, former IPS Anand Mishra, former diplomat Manoj Kumar Bharti, and Pawan Verma, took the stage together. Thousands of grassroot workers who had participated in the padyatra stood alongside them, receiving resounding cheers from the crowd.

Image: Prashant Kishor and leaders during the founding convention of Jan Suraaj Party in Patna

Slogan of Jai Bihar-Jai Jan Suraaj

The slogan “Jan Suraaj” means “People’s Good Governance” is closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Swaraj (self-rule), which he articulated during the Indian independence movement.

The convention was charged with anticipation as people waved yellow flags, symbolising the party’s vision for change. The ground echoed with “Jai Bihar, Jai Jan Suraaj” slogans, giving the gathering a scintillating effect that fueled the excitement of the moment. The gathering was a vibrant tapestry of people from diverse backgrounds, all coming together with shared hopes for a new political beginning. The massive turnout of nearly more than a lakh was a testament to the rising sentiment for a fresh political force in Bihar, with Jan Suraaj Party positioning itself as the voice of the people.

Image: The Crowd at the foundation event of Jan Suraaj
Image Source: Jan Suraaj X handle

Hope of Good Governance

Among the participants was 45- year old Sunil Kumar, a small grocery shop owner from the rural outskirts of Samastipur district, who, like many others, came from Prashant Kishor’s on-the-ground presence during his padyatra. Sunil holding the flag of yellow coloured Jan Suraaj bearing Gandhi’s image walked towards the venue. “Kishor visited various villages and blocks of our district, learning about the challenges we face. His endurance to know Bihar and resolve the challenges  triggered my participation,” he said.

Image: Sunil Kumar holding the Jan Suraaj flag heading towards the venue

This special occasion, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, was a significant juncture of Kishor’s two-year-long padyatra—an extensive walkathon across Bihar aimed at understanding grassroots issues and mobilising the masses.

From the nook and corner of Bihar, individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds comprising women, workers and common folks travelled to be part of this significant political milestone. Sarita Paswan, a former panchayat samiti member from West Champaran’s Ramnagar, the bordering district to Nepal covered 265 kilometres to attend the event. Accompanied by hundreds of villagers, she hired a bus to ensure that their voice was heard. “The method of people's mobilisation on the land of Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha intrigued us massively and people's participation is an evident reflection of it,” she added.

The convention took a significant turn with the appointment of former diplomat Manoj Kumar Bharti, a dalit, as its first working president for a tenure of 12 months.

Padyatra at a Glance

Prashant Kishor embarked on padyatra on October 2, 2022 with an aim to understand the root causes of Bihar's plight, connect with the public to learn about the ground realities, and prepare a blueprint for the state's development traversing villages across the state, addressing development challenges and initiating meaningful change.

Image: Prashant Kishor interacting with villagers during his padyatra
Image Source: Jan Suraaj Website

According to official figures from Jan Suraaj, Kishor’s padyatra has traversed 2,697 villages, 235 blocks, and 1,319 panchayats since October 2022.

The establishment of Jan Suraaj has set a powerful precedent for political mobilisation, challenging traditional power structures and aligning with Gandhi's vision for rural empowerment. However, major political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Janata Dal United (JDU), have dismissed Kishor’s initiative as inconsequential.