Terms of Trade: Is PK’s parabolic victory hyperbolic in Bihar’s larger politics?
Prashant Kishor has gained voters from both the BJP and the RJD, given the BJP’s and RJD’s vote shares of 62.6% and 29.5%, respectively.
Bihar's political landscape has undergone significant changes following the by-election in Bankipur constituency, where Prashant Kishor's party, Jan Suraaj, secured a surprising victory. The BJP, which had held the seat for three decades, recorded its worst-ever performance in the constituency. The RJD, the main opposition party, garnered only 10% of the vote share.
PK's victory, with nearly 50% of the vote, was a significant win, even though the constituency is an outlier in Bihar, being highly urban and affluent. PK's victory suggests that the ruling coalition of extreme groups, under Nitish Kumar, is losing its appeal, and the BJP's pivot towards incorporating elements of aggressive OBC politics may not be enough to retain its upper caste base.
PK may be looking for a political ally in Bihar, with the Congress being a likely candidate due to its legacy and recall value. The potential alliance could draw support from upper caste Hindus and Muslims, who are increasingly dissatisfied with the diminishing quid pro quo for their support. PK's pragmatic approach, focusing on governance rather than confrontational caste or religious politics, may be the key to bridging the gap between these communities.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
