Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has committed to facilitating private-sector employment for at least 10,000 unemployed youth in Bankipur. This pledge comes a week after his significant victory in the Bankipur assembly byelection.
A Pledge for Employment in Bankipur
Speaking at a public event to express gratitude to voters, Kishor called upon educated but jobless young individuals to submit their résumés (CVs) to his newly established office. He assured attendees that his team would immediately begin efforts to arrange suitable placements for 10,000 youngsters from the area within the next one to two years.
Kishor clarified that these opportunities would exclusively be in the private sector, emphasizing that government jobs were not part of this initiative. He stated his intention to leverage his extensive network and contacts with influential figures to identify job openings in various factories and offices, thereby helping constituents earn a livelihood.
Beyond Jobs: Other Commitments
The strategist-turned-politician also appealed to voters for a year's time to deliver on other key promises. He indicated that fundamental changes would be visible on most pressing issues within this timeframe, with tangible improvements expected.
- Local Governance: Smaller, immediate concerns such as sanitation near hospitals, access to drinking water, and streamlined ration card processing are slated for resolution within three months. Kishor specifically promised an end to bribery for ration cards and assured beneficiaries of receiving the full 5 kg of foodgrain entitlement.
- Elderly Pension: A monthly payment of ₹1,100 is promised for all citizens over 60 years of age who are not currently receiving similar benefits.
- Education Reform: Kishor reiterated his commitment to government schools. He vowed that within a year, public educational institutions would either see significant improvement, or his organization would cover the fees for children from impoverished families to attend private schools.
These four pillars—jobs, education, pension, and foodgrain—form the core of his agenda for the constituency.
Bankipur's Electoral Upset and Political Shift
Kishor's promises follow his electoral debut, where he secured a decisive victory over BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar by a margin of 19,324 votes. Kishor garnered 64,151 votes, while Kumar received 44,827. RJD candidate Rekha Kumari placed third with 14,273 votes.
This outcome marked a significant symbolic defeat for the BJP, which had held the Bankipur seat for over three decades, and represented Jan Suraaj’s inaugural entry into the Bihar Assembly. Kishor asserted that this result has already reshaped Bihar's political discourse, shifting focus from contentious issues to discussions about industrial development and education. He claimed that even the Chief Minister is now emphasizing education and employment due to the impact of the Bankipur vote, predicting the Chief Minister's eventual departure.