Ratan Kesari, one other schoolmate, says Kishor would by no means hesitate to take possibilities.

“Who else would have dared to do this when Modi was on the peak of his recognition in 2015,” he asks, referring to the function Kishor performed in forging the JD(U)-RJD alliance to maintain BJP out of energy in Bihar in 2015, after “issues didn’t work out with Modi and Shah”.

Fondly recognized amongst pals as ‘Tu-Tu Bhai’ (after his nickname Tu-Tu), Kishor was born in Shahabad district, the place his father Shrikant Pandey was a physician in a authorities hospital. Initially from Konar village in Rohtas, Dr Pandey was posted in Shahabad earlier than shifting to Buxar within the mid-Eighties, the place Prashant studied from Class 6 to highschool. He later pursued intermediate research at Patna Science School, graduating in 1993.

In accordance with his Buxar batchmates, Kishor at all times had a pure knack for information. He enrolled in Delhi College to review statistics however needed to return residence owing to well being points. He then accomplished his Bachelor’s diploma in Enterprise Administration from Lucknow College.

Ratan, now a businessman in Patna, fondly remembers his faculty days with Prashant. “I’ve shared an in depth bond with Tu-Tu since our days collectively in Buxar. Our marks have been at all times related, I scored 702 in matric, and he received 705. He was formidable by nature for the reason that starting. After ending Class 10 from MP Excessive Faculty, he went to Patna Science School within the hope of doing one thing huge in life, whereas I stayed again in Buxar for my intermediate. After that, we steadily misplaced contact.”

Ratan then remembers how they met once more: “In 2024, when he got here to Patna for a protest, I went to fulfill him. I had grown a giant beard by then… he didn’t recognise me at first. I stated, ‘Tu-Tu Bhai, pehchana (do you recognise me)?’ He first stated, ‘No’, then I instructed him ‘Baniwa Ratan’, which is what he used to name me at school. He laughed and stated, ‘Oh Ratan! I didn’t recognise you with that beard.’

“That broke the ice, and we’ve stayed in contact ever since. He’s nonetheless the identical cussed and impressive Tu-Tu, however with higher imaginative and prescient and a much bigger mission now.”

A few of Prashant Kishor’s schoolmates in Buxar have been so impressed by him that they’ve joined his occasion. One such is Amrendra Mishra.

“I joined the motion in 2022 when PK’s Padyatra started in Paschim Champaran. I’ve recognized Prashant for a very long time. Amongst all our schoolmates, I in all probability stayed in contact with him the longest, even after we moved to Patna. I met him as soon as in 2012 additionally when he was working with the Gujarat authorities. I used to be deeply influenced by his concepts and imaginative and prescient for change in Bihar, which is why I made a decision to affix him. For others, he is likely to be a widely known political determine, however for us, he’s nonetheless the identical outdated Prashant,” says Mishra.

ThePrint reached Prashant Kishor for his aspect of the story by way of calls and messages however had not obtained a response by the point of publication. This report will likely be up to date if and when a response is obtained.

---

Additionally Learn: Anant Singh vs Suraj Bhan: Enduring relevance of Mokama strongmen in Lalu & Nitish’s race to win Bihar

---

Konar ready for Tu-Tu

Positioned close to the district headquarters of Sasaram, Kishor’s ancestral village Konar continues to be ready for his go to. Konar village, with a inhabitants of over 6,000, is within the Kargahar Meeting constituency, and plenty of believed he would contest elections from Konar.

Nonetheless, he selected to subject Bhojpuri singer Ritesh Pandey from the seat as an alternative. Villagers stay hopeful that they are going to see their ‘native boy’ on polling day. In the course of the village stands a giant, outdated home, cared for by Kedar Pandey, a household good friend. The partitions are lined in Jan Suraaj posters and flags, displaying the villagers’ pleasure of their Tu-Tu.

Kedar Pandey, the 67-year outdated household good friend, tells ThePrint, “Prashant final visited the village in 2019 after his mother and father’ dying, to carry out the final rites. Since then, he hasn’t come, however all the village has been ready to see him ever since he entered politics. He spent a lot of his childhood on this home every time his mother and father got here right here from city on weekends.”

Kedar provides that Kishor’s household owned appreciable farmland and a rice mill in Konar, which he now manages. “After his mother and father handed away, Prashant received busy with politics. His elder brother, Ajay Kishor, who lives within the NCR, visits the village annually. Their father, Dr Shrikant Pandey, was a widely known physician and had two sons and two daughters. Now, Prashant is the one one from the household nonetheless lively in Bihar.”

Ayush, 25, who works in Delhi, visited Konar for Chhath and determined to remain again to vote.

A primary-time voter, he desires to vote for change. “Biharis have a lot potential, but our state’s picture continues to be poor in huge cities. Now that Prashant Kishor is making an attempt to deliver change to Bihar, I selected to remain for a number of weeks to see how this election unfolds. We’re hopeful he might turn out to be a kingmaker and do one thing to enhance Bihar’s picture,” he says.

Ramesh Pandey, Kishor’s neighbour in his ancestral village, remembers, “He (Kishor) was at all times ziddi (cussed) from the start. Whether or not it was taking part in sports activities within the village or any small competitors, he by no means accepted defeat; he at all times needed to win. These traits are seen even at present. He’s decided to deliver change to Bihar’s politics. Simply take a look at him now, difficult huge names like Nitish Kumar and Lalu.

“If he needed to enter Rajya Sabha, he may need gone to any occasion, however he determined to do one thing for Bihar. We totally assist him. We now have no complaints about him not visiting the village for six years; he’s on a giant mission. Jab goal bada hota hai toh chhoti-chhoti shikayatein nahi rakhi jaati (when the purpose is huge, small complaints don’t matter).”

Kishor’s father was a widely known doctor in Buxar. A neighbour remembers that every time anybody from Konar visited Buxar, they might obtain free therapy and even a meal at his father’s non-public clinic, which he arrange after retiring from the federal government service.

A detailed affiliate of his father who didn’t want to be named says Dr Shrikant Pandey was a staunch Congressman and had helped former Bihar Chief Minister Bindeshwari Dubey throughout his meeting elections marketing campaign from Shahpur.

How the journey started

Within the early 2000s, Kishor went to Hyderabad to pursue a Grasp’s diploma in public well being. A lot of his childhood pals consider that was the start line of his stint in public life. It was in Hyderabad that Kishor labored with the United Nations on a public well being undertaking. By his personal admission, he labored with the UN for greater than eight years.

One in all his schoolmates, chatting with ThePrint on situation of anonymity, shares: “Throughout the Rabri Devi authorities, he got here to Patna for fieldwork whereas engaged on a analysis undertaking associated to polio. It was then that he met Jahnavi Das, a physician by career. They later received married, it was an inter-caste marriage, and we had heard that his mother and father have been initially not in favour (of the wedding), however Kishor ultimately satisfied them.”

After finishing his undertaking in Bihar, Kishor went to Chad in Central Africa, for one more health-related task. Upon returning to India, he started interacting with politicians.

Throughout Rahul Gandhi’s tenure as Member of Parliament from Amethi (2004–2009), Kishor met with him to debate methods to enhance healthcare and medical infrastructure within the constituency.

Former Congress MLC and Amethi chief Deepak Singh remembers, “I bear in mind in 2008, he got here to Amethi and stayed on the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital premises, which is run by the Gandhi household’s belief. He was there to implement health-related programmes.

“One fascinating incident I recall from these days is that when Sachin Tendulkar visited Amethi with Rahul Gandhi to present prizes at an area match, Kishor requested me to face in entrance to welcome Sachin. He was very sharp even then. After working for a number of weeks, he returned to Delhi.”

In accordance with an in depth aide who later labored with Kishor at I-PAC (a number one political consultancy based by Kishor), “We have been by no means fairly positive why he returned from Amethi, however we bear in mind he as soon as wrote an article highlighting malnutrition points in Gujarat, which not directly challenged the so-called ‘Gujarat Mannequin’. The piece caught the eye of the state authorities. Round 2010, he met the then Gujarat chief minister and prompt methods to strengthen the state’s well being infrastructure. Modi was impressed by his concepts and requested him to help the Gujarat authorities.”

Over time, Kishor started providing political insights, utilizing his robust grasp of knowledge to form methods, one thing that additional impressed Modi, who entrusted him with managing the 2012 Gujarat election marketing campaign.

In 2013, Kishor based ‘Residents for Accountable Governance (CAG)’, a media and technique organisation to formalise his work. One of many founding members defined, “The preliminary purpose of CAG was to supply consulting providers to the federal government on tips on how to successfully implement insurance policies on the bottom. Many professionals from completely different backgrounds, together with administration, legislation, media and social work, joined us on the time.”

Turning level submit 2014 Lok Sabha polls

Modi’s victory within the 2014 Lok Sabha elections additionally introduced Prashant Kishor into the highlight as a political strategist. He was credited with conceptualising modern marketing campaign concepts like Chai Pe Charcha, 3D rallies, conclaves, and social media outreach programmes.

All the pieces was going based on plan till a turning level within the second half of 2014, when variations reportedly emerged between Kishor and prime authorities functionaries.

A senior political guide who labored with him on the time says, “PK needed CAG to function an advisory physique to the federal government, one that would not solely supply coverage recommendation but additionally suggest corrective measures and maintain officers accountable for poor efficiency. Nonetheless, an in depth aide of PM Modi and a few PMO officers opposed the concept of such a physique, resulting in delays in its formation. Pissed off by the delay, PK ultimately moved on and later based I-PAC (Indian Political Motion Committee) to increase this work of political consultancy.”

After his stint with the BJP, Prashant Kishor went on to deal with JD(U)’s 2015 election marketing campaign, ultimately rising to turn out to be the occasion’s vice chairman in later years.

In accordance with senior JD(U) chief Ok.C. Tyagi, “It was Pavan Ok. Varma who launched Prashant to Nitish ji. Pavan was a member of Rajya Sabha at the moment. He as soon as introduced him (Kishor) to my residence in Delhi. We heard him out as he defined why he had parted methods with the BJP and needed to work for the Opposition as an alternative. Since Bihar was his residence state, he wished to start his political technique work from there.

“Collectively, we deliberate the marketing campaign technique for the 2015 elections. Nitish ji quickly grew to become fairly keen on him. The truth is, it was Prashant who persuaded him to take the lead himself, changing Jitan Ram Manjhi as chief minister. Earlier Nitish was not a lot in that favour, however later he was influenced by Kishor’s concept that solely a well-liked face might usher in votes within the subsequent meeting polls.”

Pavan Ok. Varma, now the chief spokesperson of the Jan Suraaj Celebration, confirmed that he was the one who launched Kishor to Nitish Kumar. “I bear in mind getting a name from an unknown quantity within the second half of 2014. Usually, I don’t take such calls, however I picked it up by likelihood. The caller launched himself and stated he needed to fulfill. I agreed, and that’s the way it all started. He instructed me he needed to do one thing for Bihar, so I organized his assembly with Nitish ji. That’s when he began working with JD(U).”

In 2018, Kishor formally joined the JD(U), and Nitish Kumar appointed him the occasion’s vice chairman. However in 2019, he was expelled.

Varma remembers: “In 2019, each Prashant and I have been expelled from the occasion on the identical day for opposing CAA-NRC, as Nitish ji was then aligned with the NDA. Later, I briefly joined TMC when Prashant was working with them. By 2021, we each felt it was time to construct a real political various for Bihar and that’s how the concept of Jan Suraaj took form.”

In accordance with JD(U) chief Ok.C. Tyagi, “Kishor at all times had huge ambitions for Bihar for the reason that day he joined JD(U). He genuinely needed to do one thing for the state. Even after returning to his career for some time post-expulsion, Bihar remained on his thoughts. He was an formidable strategist at the moment.”

After the formation of the Bihar authorities, Kishor continued his political consulting work. He was later approached by the Congress to deal with its marketing campaign for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Meeting elections, a marketing campaign that didn’t yield the specified outcome.

In accordance with his former colleagues, Kishor’s total success charge as a strategist stood above 90 %, with governments being fashioned in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu after campaigns he managed.

In Could 2021, when Kishor introduced his exit from political consulting, he instructed his group that anybody wishing to work for Bihar’s transformation might be a part of him.

A senior I-PAC official says, “Politics and political technique are two very various things. You possibly can’t make political methods professionally whereas being an lively participant in politics your self. That’s why Kishor parted methods with I-PAC. Nonetheless, a lot of our colleagues who shared his imaginative and prescient joined him in Bihar. Kishor has no stake in I-PAC anymore.”

Functionaries in Jan Suraaj are properly conscious of Prashant Kishor’s cussed nature, however say his willpower to alter Bihar continues to encourage them.

“I first met Prashant Kishor in 2012 in Gujarat. At the moment, I used to be related to the BJP and sometimes travelled to Gujarat for enterprise conferences. I met him on the Chief Minister’s Workplace, and we spoke briefly about Bihar’s politics. After that, we stayed in contact by messages for a number of years however by no means met once more. He adopted his personal path, and I adopted mine,” says Mithlesh Pathak, who now oversees the Shahbad area for Jan Suraaj.

He provides, “I hoped for a BJP ticket from Buxar for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, however when that didn’t occur, Jan Suraaj reached out and provided me the place of in-charge for the Shahbad area. After I met Prashant once more a few 12 months in the past, he instantly recalled our 2012 assembly. That reveals how sharp his reminiscence is. He’s deeply dedicated to bringing change in Bihar, and that’s what motivated me to affix his mission.”

Ras Bihari Lal, a Jan Suraaj supporter from Konar, declares that in Bihar politics at present, you merely can’t ignore the PK issue. “Regardless of which constituency you go to, persons are speaking about Jan Suraaj. Whether or not Tu-Tu’s occasion wins or not, everybody acknowledges his presence. This recognition is the results of his laborious work over the previous three years. It took Nitish and Lalu a few years to turn out to be tall leaders, Tu-Tu can obtain that type of success within the coming years too and we would like him to return to the village after attaining his purpose.”

Equally, Pushpendu Mishra, one in every of Kishor’s schoolmates who hasn’t met him within the final 34 years is able to wait. In accordance with him, “We just lately celebrated the 138th basis day of MP Excessive Faculty on 1 September with a reunion. For the event, we created a WhatsApp group referred to as ‘138 Saal Bemisaal’. Prashant wasn’t formally invited, as we assumed he should be busy together with his marketing campaign and we didn’t need to disturb him, however we’re hopeful that he’ll be a part of us as a particular visitor on the subsequent reunion.”

(Edited by Viny Mishra)

---

Additionally learn: Why PK determined to not contest Bihar polls, and what it means for Jan Suraaj & its rivals

---