Prashant Kishor

In this special edition of To The Point, host Preeti Choudhry examines the political firestorm in West Bengal following Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the offices of IPAC and the residence of its head, Pratik Jain. The raids, linked to a 2020 coal scam case involving Anoop Majhi, took place just three months before the 2026 state elections.

On this Special Report of 'To The Point', host Preeti Choudhury examines the political firestorm in West Bengal following Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the offices of IPAC and the residence of its head, Pratik Jain. The raids, linked to a 2020 coal scam case involving Anoop Majhi, took place just three months before the 2026 state elections. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sparked controversy by entering the IPAC premises during the operation and leaving with files, an act the BJP termed as 'obstructing an ongoing investigation'. Banerjee hit back, stating, 'Because of election, they are collecting all my information of my party.' The programme features a debate between TMC spokesperson Tauseef Rehman, BJP's Tuhin Sinha, and analyst Shikha Mukherjee regarding the alleged weaponisation of central agencies. The discussion highlights the long-standing association between the TMC and IPAC, originally founded by Prashant Kishor, and the pattern of agency actions occurring shortly before major Indian elections.

In a wide-ranging interview on India Today's 'UnPolitics' with Preeti Choudhry, RJD Rajya Sabha MP and National Spokesperson Manoj Kumar Jha discusses his political career, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and the future of the RJD.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses the Parliament, defending the 2025 Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls. Shah rebuts Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's 'vote theft' allegations made in a November 5 press conference, terming them a 'fake nuclear bomb'. He cites the 1995 Supreme Court judgment in 'Lal Babu Hussain vs Electoral Registration Officer' to justify the removal of non-citizens from voter lists. Shah also alleges that opposition leaders like Tejashwi Yadav and Sanjay Singh hold votes in multiple constituencies. He asserts that the revision is a necessary process to maintain the sanctity of elections and criticizes the 2010 decision that restricted Returning Officers' powers.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor discusses his party's recent electoral defeat in Bihar, his future political strategy, and his firm stance on alliances. Kishor reiterates that his political platform, Jansuraj, will not be compromised by aligning with other parties like the Congress or RJD, and announces his return to public life with a 'yatra' starting from January 15. Responding to those writing his political obituary after the loss, Kishor stated, 'The people who are writing my obituary, the people who are making fun of me, they are the ones who are most bothered to talk to them, to interview them. So, that shows that I am not dead yet'. He also reflects on the lessons from failure and references Kanshi Ram's theory on electoral battles.

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor discusses the political landscape of Bihar, questioning the health of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and reaffirming his commitment to his 10-year plan for the state. Kishor addresses his previous attacks on key political figures, including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and states his intention to pursue legal action against him. When asked how he would follow up on the grave charges he made against Samrat Choudhary, Prashant Kishor said, 'Bilkul jaenge court Mein move karenge' (' will absolutely go, will move the court'). The interview also touches upon Kishor's electoral predictions and his distinction between electoral victory and the validation of a politician's character, citing the conviction of Lalu Prasad Yadav in the fodder scam despite his past electoral wins.

Jan Suraaj founder and former election strategist Prashant Kishor on Sunday addressed his party’s complete wipeout in the Bihar Assembly elections, alleging that the polls were “rigged”—while conceding he currently has no evidence to substantiate the claim. Kishor described the defeat as “crushing” but maintained that his campaign had strong grassroots momentum. He said the official voting pattern did not align with the feedback and support observed during his months-long Jan Suraaj yatra, suggesting that “something went wrong” in the process.

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor analyses his party's electoral defeat in the recent Bihar Assembly polls, where it failed to win a single seat. Kishor details three primary reasons for the loss: the state government's unprecedented distribution of ₹10,000 to women voters with a promise of ₹2 lakh, the lingering fear of 'Lalu's Jungle Raj' which consolidated votes for the NDA, and suspected electoral malpractices which he terms an 'invisible force'. Kishor states, 'Never in India's 75-year history has a government bought the votes of crores of poor families for ₹10,000 each… If I am wrong, let the government file a case against me and put me in jail'. He also points to irregularities in the voting process and data, such as the non-release of Form 17C data for days and unusual voting patterns, but admits he lacks concrete proof of manipulation.

KC Sinha — the maths professor generations grew up studying, the man who taught Prashant Kishor, the author of 60+ books — contested from Kumhrar and lost.

Prashant Kishor, after his Jan Suraaj Party’s poor performance in the recent Bihar Assembly elections, observed a day-long silent fast at Mahatma Gandhi’s historic Bhitiharwa Ashram in West Champaran

This Special Report covers the diplomatic fallout after a Bangladesh tribunal sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia for crimes against humanity. From Washington DC, her son Sajeeb Wazed speaks exclusively, calling the verdict 'a complete mockery of justice.' The report details the interim government's, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, demand for India to extradite Hasina, with law adviser Asif Nazrul warning of 'enmity' if the request is denied. The program then shifts to the 2025 Bihar election results, where Nitish Kumar is set for a tenth term as Chief Minister after a major victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The analysis examines Bihar's move toward a bipolar political contest between the NDA and the Mahagatbandhan, the failure of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party to secure any seats, and insights from political figures like Mukesh Sani and Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal. The discussion delves into whether welfare schemes are creating a new 'caste plus' voter, challenging traditional electoral dynamics.

This special report analyses the results of the Bihar 2025 elections, where the NDA secured a dominant victory, reinforcing a bipolar political landscape against the Mahagathbandhan. The programme examines the increased vote share for the NDA, the stagnation of the Mahagathbandhan, the failure of smaller parties like Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraj to win seats, and the shrinking influence of caste-based voting. BJP's Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal stated, 'This state has always moved beyond caste after 2005.' The discussion, featuring leaders like Mukesh Sahni and analysts Amitabh Tiwari and Sajan Kumar, explores whether Bihar is pivoting from traditional caste calculations to development-oriented politics, as the state prepares for Nitish Kumar's tenth term as Chief Minister.

Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj contested 238 seats in the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 — and won none

This special report analyses the results of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, where the partnership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar secured a significant pro-incumbency victory for the NDA. The report breaks down the key takeaways, including the failure of Tejashwi Yadav's leadership, the electoral debut flop of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party, and the critical role of women voters in the NDA's success. The analysis concludes that 'You cannot practice politics in 2025 like you did 20-25 years ago also.' The programme highlights the superior resources, organisation, and preparation of the NDA compared to the opposition, marking a major shift in Indian politics.

This special report covers the political reactions following the Bihar election results, featuring Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Chaudhary, speaking at a victory celebration in Patna. The report also captures comments from Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on the election outcome. Samrat Chaudhary stated, 'Lalu ji ke naam par wo party hai, lalu ji ke vote bank par rashtriya jantadal hai Isliye jis din, Tehsvi Yadav ko mukhmantri ghoshit kiya, ussi din wo chunhaa har gaya.' The segment highlights the contrasting moods of the victorious NDA alliance and the newly formed Jan Suraaj Party, which did not secure any seats. Key figures discussed include RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, in the context of the election's dynamics and results.

On this special report, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Member of Parliament Shambhavi Chaudhary discusses the National Democratic Alliance's strategy for the Bihar Vidhan Sabha elections. She addresses the youth vote, alliance dynamics with the Janata Dal (United), and the leadership of Union Minister Chirag Paswan and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Speaking on her party's position, Ms. Chaudhary stated, 'there is no vacancy for a Chief Ministerial post in Bihar this time.' The interview also touches upon vote transfer within the NDA and dismisses allegations made by political strategist Prashant Kishor against her family as 'mere political gossip'.

On this special report, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Member of Parliament Shambhavi Chaudhary discusses the National Democratic Alliance's strategy for the Bihar Vidhan Sabha elections. She addresses the youth vote, alliance dynamics with the Janata Dal (United), and the leadership of Union Minister Chirag Paswan and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Speaking on her party's position, Ms. Chaudhary stated, 'there is no vacancy for a Chief Ministerial post in Bihar this time.' The interview also touches upon vote transfer within the NDA and dismisses allegations made by political strategist Prashant Kishor against her family as 'mere political gossip'.

A panel of senior journalists discusses the results of the Bihar assembly elections, where the NDA alliance of the BJP and JD(U) is heading for a significant victory. The discussion covers the setback for Tejashwi Yadav's RJD, the limited impact of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party, the role of AIMIM in the Seemanchal region, and the political strategies of national figures like Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi. One panelist offered a view on the Chief Minister's future, stating, 'Nitish Kumar will give up chief ministership at some stage in the next couple of years'. The debate also touches upon whether personal attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the opposition benefit the BJP electorally and the challenges for new political entrants in the Indian landscape.

A panel of senior journalists discusses the results of the Bihar assembly elections, where the NDA alliance of the BJP and JD(U) is heading for a significant victory. The discussion covers the setback for Tejashwi Yadav's RJD, the limited impact of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party, the role of AIMIM in the Seemanchal region, and the political strategies of national figures like Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi. One panelist offered a view on the Chief Minister's future, stating, 'Nitish Kumar will give up chief ministership at some stage in the next couple of years'. The debate also touches upon whether personal attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the opposition benefit the BJP electorally and the challenges for new political entrants in the Indian landscape.

This special report analyses the 2025 Bihar Assembly election results, where the NDA coalition secured a decisive victory. The discussion delves into key political trends, including the BJP's emergence as the state's single largest party and the paradoxical performance of the RJD, which maintained a high vote share but saw its seat count plummet. The programme examines the continued influence of 'Bahubali' strongmen in Bihar politics, with candidates like Anant Singh being fielded despite criminal cases. It also scrutinises the persistent issue of women's underrepresentation in leadership roles, questioning why female voters are not translated into female candidates. The panel reflects on the electoral failure of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party, which did not win any seats despite a high-profile campaign.