Kishor’s Strong Remarks at Muslim Conference
Patna: Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has sparked a sharp political debate with his remarks on the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ideological trajectory. Speaking at a Muslim Conference in Bihar, the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder claimed that in the coming decade, many may view Prime Minister Narendra Modi as relatively “soft” when compared to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
“Write it down. Ten years from now, you will say Modi was tolerable. But Yogi Adityanath is intolerable. Can’t you see the RSS is shifting the Centre more towards the right? Your fight is with them,” Kishor told the gathering ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
His remarks underscored what he described as the BJP’s continuous evolution towards hardline politics, comparing successive leaders from Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani to Modi and Yogi.
Explaining BJP’s Leadership Evolution
After his comments stirred headlines, Kishor clarified his statement to news agency ANI. He said his intent was to explain the shifting nature of BJP’s leadership over the decades.
“If you compare Vajpayee and Advani, Vajpayee was considered the face of soft Hindutva, while Advani was seen as a hardliner. Today, compared to Modi, many now view Advani as soft,” Kishor explained.
Warning of what may lie ahead, he added, “This trajectory will continue. In the next 10 to 15 years, BJP may be led by a person who will make Modi look softer.”
The remark reflects Kishor’s attempt to highlight what he sees as the RSS-BJP ideological shift towards more hardline politics, shaping India’s political discourse.
Bihar Assembly Elections Later This Year
Bihar is headed for crucial Assembly elections later this year, expected in October or November. However, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet announced official polling dates.
Kishor’s remarks are being seen as part of his attempt to consolidate support among Bihar’s Muslim and secular voters ahead of the polls. His Jan Suraaj Party is planning to contest on all 243 Assembly seats, challenging both the BJP-led NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan.
Kishor’s Journey from Strategist to Politician
Prashant Kishor is widely regarded as one of India’s most successful political strategists. He was credited for designing the BJP’s groundbreaking 2014 Lok Sabha campaign, which helped bring Modi to power.
Over the years, Kishor worked with almost every major national and regional party, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, JD(U), and DMK. However, he later stepped away from consultancy, saying it was time to “go to the real masters – the people.”
His party, Jan Suraaj, has been running a statewide outreach campaign in Bihar. By contesting independently, Kishor hopes to translate his political acumen into electoral success in one of India’s most politically significant states.
Conclusion
Prashant Kishor’s remarks comparing Modi and Yogi Adityanath have reignited debates about the future direction of the BJP and Indian politics. As Bihar prepares for its elections, his statements also underline his effort to position himself as a challenger to established parties. Whether voters see him as a credible alternative will become clear once Bihar heads to the polls later this year.