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Many in Konar, where Prashant Kishor was born, are disappointed that he himself is not contesting the upcoming Bihar elections.
Prashant Kishor’s parents Dr Srikant Pandey and Sushila Pandey are no more but locals still remember them fondly. (Image: News18)
Driving four hours out of Patna brings you to Konar village in Rohtas district — this is where Prashant Kishor was born. A big but rather dilapidated house greets you here with only a caretaker, Kedar Pandey. But a big wall-paining at the house listing Jan Suraaj Party’s five big promises, and a Prashant Kishor poster inside is unmissable — these are Kishor’s roots and where he grew up.
His parents Dr Srikant Pandey and Sushila Pandey are no more but locals still remember them fondly. Dr Pandey was a renowned physician, and locals say that he helped the people a lot. “Dr Pandey imbibed the same ideals in his son, Prashant. With his new party, Prashant is trying to change Bihar’s politics for the good of Bihar. He is not calling himself a politician too but rather a worker who wants to see Bihar move ahead from caste,” a group of locals say.
Prashant Kishor rose from these modest backgrounds to first become a political strategist and now a full-time politician whose party is contesting many seats in Bihar. But many in Konar are disappointed that Prashant himself is not contesting the upcoming elections. “We wish he could have contested from his home seat in Rohtas. The other option was taking on Tejashwi Yadav from Raghopur. But he is not contesting at all,” the locals say.
Kedar Pandey says it does not matter if Prashant contests or not as he has already made a point with his Yatra across Bihar over the last two years. “Prashant Kishor wants to change Bihar’s politics. His entire politics is a new idea, a vichar. Whether he remains in the fray or not, the vichar (idea) will always stay,” Kedar Pandey says. But as some locals say, the opposition is now portraying that Prashant ran away from the election battle, and this may hurt.
Some in the opposition have also pointed out the ‘Pandey’ surname of Prashant Kishor to paint him as an upper-caste politician, which he does not portray. However, Prashant while speaking to CNN-News18, said his is the only party giving such a high proportion of tickets to backward castes and minorities – for true representation as per their share in the state’s population. Locals in Konar also say Prashant’s politics is not about caste at all. It is more.
On November 14, Bihar’s election results will show if the idea works or caste trumps.
Aman Sharma, News Director For CNN News18 and News18 English, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Minister’s Office. He has written widely on politics, ele…Read More
Aman Sharma, News Director For CNN News18 and News18 English, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Minister’s Office. He has written widely on politics, ele… Read More
Rohtas, India, India
October 17, 2025, 10:24 IST
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