Bihar polls: Jan Suraaj Party secures more votes than winning margin in 35 seats

Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party lost its deposit in 236 of the 238 seats it contested in the Bihar Assembly elections, but election data suggests the party may have played a role in deciding outcomes in several constituencies. In 35 seats, the party’s vote count exceeded the winning margin, though it is unclear how these votes would have been distributed if the party had not contested.

Of these 35 seats, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 19, including 10 by the JDU, five by the BJP, three by LJP-RV, and one by RLM. The Mahagathbandhan (MGB) won 14 seats, with nine going to RJD, two to Congress, and one each to CPM, CPIML-L, and IIP. AIMIM and BSP each won one seat in this group.

The Jan Suraaj Party finished third in 115 constituencies and secured a second-place finish in Marhaura. Despite its poor overall performance, the party’s vote share in some constituencies suggests it may have influenced outcomes, acting as a potential spoiler.


Critics had predicted such a role for Kishor. Some argued his upper-caste identity could draw votes away from the BJP, while others suggested his focus on issues such as migration could split anti-incumbency youth votes. The party’s presence on social media had amplified its visibility, but it was insufficient to translate into electoral wins.

(With inputs from TOI)