Jan Suraaj founder’s popularity among Biharis points to popular disenchantment with established leaders, whose votes the political outsider is expected to cannibalise in the forthcoming elections

Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj party and former political consultant, addresses a press conference, in Patna, Bihar, on September 29. Pic/PTI

In the manner of the “Striding Man,” the iconic logo of Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor kept walking in Bihar, covering as many as 2697 villages and 235 blocks over 665 days. With the Assembly elections in Bihar just weeks away, a segment of its voters appears inebriated with Kishor’s rhetoric of ushering in a socio-political change, evident even among Bihari migrant labourers in Delhi, where I write this column.

They are enamoured of Kishor because of his proposal to rehabilitate 50 lakh migrant labourers within Bihar. Rare is the candour that he has shown in opposing the prohibition on liquor. Not so uncommon is his promise of giving dole to those above 60 years and paying the fees of poor children admitted to private schools. Like all politicians, he, too, mouths the trite slogan of fighting corruption.

Kishor’s campaign tagline asks people to vote for the future of their children — for their education and livelihood. The presumption here is that Kishor would be their choice. They believe his intent to reform Bihar is selfless, for he wouldn’t........

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