Poll strategist and consultant Prashant Kishor came in news once again on May 6 for a different reason. He indicated his willingness o come to active politics. He indicated his plan to “stay in Bihar” and undertake a 3,000km padyatra (walking on foot) in the state to understand people’s aspirations and to assess what the people think about the priorities, problems and solutions. He expressed willingness to form a political party if people want it.
His decision seemed unwelcome, especially among the politicians of Bihar across the political parties. Their reaction along with some media circles were weird at the worst and panicky at the surface some describing him as “confused”, others saying that he is neither Gandhi nor Jayprakash Naraian, who could mobilize people.
No wonder he is criticized by the politicians who have thrived on “narrow categories” like caste, religion, populist promises and distribution of freebies for mass mobilization to remain in power. Anybody like Prashant Kishore who talks about objective criteria to measure and evaluate the delivery of development and good governance of governments in Bihar in the last three decades is an inconvenient proposition. One leader in a TV talk said that he has no ideology which is necessary for doing politics. It seemed that the leader was looking down on him and undermining him because of his professional career as a political strategist and consultant. It is strange why a political strategist cannot participate in active politics if a chaiwala or dhoodhwaala, farmer or bureaucrat and a sportsperson or a film personality can be.
There is a general contempt among the politicians about intellectuals and professionals in India stating that “hard work” and not “Harvard” is required in politics as if politics is just a game of capability to play on emotive and controversial issues, along the fault lines in society and hype about over zealot nationalism. Majority of the politicians of our day are aware about their lack of any worthwhile talent and proven credential. They thrive on a two pronged strategy to remain relevant and remain in power, i.e., raising controversies and perpetrating hate and division by creating false symbols and enemies. The current day politicians do not like questions, they only love compliance and submission. Some of them even do not like to come in front of media despite enjoying higher and responsible public positions. They hate scrutiny and like to be revered and respected with all their failures and fillies. This is the reason that there is rampant anti-intellectualism among the politicians of our time, who hate alternate visions. They rely totally on Mechiavellian philosophy of power, and only for the sake of their own narrow understanding about what is right and what is wrong.
Prashant while announcing his intention to come to real politics questioned the performance of previous Bihar governments on some vital economic and social parameters of development and highlighted that irrespective of Laluji or Neetish ji’s claims, Bihar has remained at the bottom in reckoning among the Indian states. This would certainly pinch to the politicians who have failed to deliver. Not that Prashant did not appreciate whatever little has been achieved, but he emphasized that it is inadequate.
He lamented that while educational institutions in Bihar are completely under ruin, the students are compelled to go out for education and bear high cost. The same fate is met by the workforce of Bihar who wanders throughout the country for employment and compelled to work and live under dehumanized conditions while state has failed in both- creating productive employment and providing them with desired social security. The health infrastructure in the state is in bad shape beyond imagination.
If somebody like Prashant thinks to unite people of Bihar on an alternate vision beyond caste and religious narratives and propaganda populism, it is surely inconvenient for the present day politicians, who have failed to deliver development and good governance continuously. They do not want to talk on poverty, unemployment, health and education. They do not talk about problems impeding agricultural and industrial development. They do not want to talk about basic services like education, health and transport and communication. These issues are relevant, but time taking to make any difference. Politicians need “fast food like solutions” for mass mobilization and so they criticize Prashant, but he is at least thinking about setting the priorities right. It is a brave and courageous act.
It is strange that if somebody is talking sense, why political leaders are having bitterness about him. It is far stranger that many of the existing politicians have written an obituary of Prashant as a politician even before he has taken a plunge and started experiments on his alternate model of politics and development. The status quoits are afraid and jealous because their political method of mass mobilization is threatened by the talk of an alternative vision. The full time politicians with no other credential for whatsoever in their life hate professionals and intellectuals because these people question their primordial, medieval and senseless, divisive and emotive planks instead of working for true development.
The US needs Ivy League fellows as politicians; the UK needs Oxbridge fellows to lead. In the West they need scientists like Margret Thatcher or Angela Merkel to be the state heads, we just need so called “hard work” and ability to play on “controversies” and “regressive and retrograde ideas” , even with audacity to give it the name of “ideology.”Even China needs professionally trained people to lead in political spheres. Prashant is unwelcome. Strange, isn’t it?
Prashant may be expected to inspire at least a small chunk of the comfort- loving middle class of Bihar in particular and India in general to participate in the political process lest people who lack any credential in any sphere of life except politics would dominate the political spectrum and denigrate, demean and vitiate the political environment.
Choices are not easy for professionals like Prashant. He tried to change the method of mass mobilization for elections succeeded in some and failed in others. He tried to suggest measures to revive the Indian National Congress recently and even showed willingness to participate in it as a member. Things could not fructify. He did not rule out joining the Congress — with which his negotiations to join and revive the party broke down recently — but said he would still stay in Bihar if that happened.
Meanwhile he claimed that his group has identified around 17,000 to 18,000 eminent political and non-political people and is in touch with them to discuss and understand the issues in Bihar. “We want to ask them about the solutions and ensure their participation. If a large number of them want a new political party, we will announce it.” Prashant has reportedly held discussions with around 150 RTI activists, student leaders, doctors, social workers and other people in Patna. He said that he plans to complete the planned interactions by August or September. “I shall start a 3,000km march from the Gandhi Ashram in West Champaran district on October 2 to reach people in the villages and cities and understand their problems, viewpoints, hopes and aspirations,” he said. “This will take anywhere from eight months to a year.” Kishor said he wanted development and “jan suraaj” or good governance by the people.
Kishor is reportedly still in touch with the Congress and might be eyeing the reins of the party’s Bihar unit with the possibility of contesting the 2025 Assembly elections. Kishor said his organisation I-PAC was in good hands and he would no longer involve himself in its functioning.
Kishor had earlier too attempted to enter politics. Chief minister Nitish Kumar had in September 2018 appointed him JDU national vice-president — the number two in the hierarchy — but he quit in January 2020 amid differences with Nitish and other party leaders. He then launched a Baat Bihar Ki programme to connect with 1 crore people across 8,800 panchayats and work for the development of the state.
Whichever way Prashant goes, he as a citizen of the country is as free as any of us to experiment with his own vision about politics and development. There is no space for hate or denial as long as he abides by the constitution and law of the country. He is a citizen of the country who thinks and has a vision. He needs to “work hard” and “endure” because breaking the “status quo” is really a stupendous task, especially in the times of post truth and Mechiavellianism at its worst. He can only be wished good luck.