JD(U) tally set to decimate Prashant Kishor's prediction: Will he now keep his promise?

Prashant Kishor

Election strategist-turned-politician and founder of Jan Suraaj party Prashant Kishor’s assessment of the JD(U) in the Bihar Assembly polls appears to be falling flat -- with the Nitish Kumar-led party ahead on far more seats than he predicted, according to the latest trends.

The NDA is comfortably past the majority mark of 122 in the 243-member House, with JD(U) leading on 75 seats -- a stark opposition in comparison to Kishor’s projection of it winning no more than 25 seats. Counting of votes is still underway.

While campaigning for Assembly polls in the state, Kishor had declared in multiple interviews that the JD(U) would not win more than 25 seats, and added that he would quit politics if that happens.

In an interview with News18 Bharat, Kishor said, “After the results, if JD(U) wins more than 25 seats, please come and tell me. Even if Jan Suraaj wins, inform me; I will quit politics."

On being questioned about the reason, he added, “I am saying with certainty that JD(U) won’t win more than 25 seats. Write down what I say.”

Kishor had earlier predicted that the JD(U) would be reduced to six seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, but the party outperformed his projection by winning 12. Experts say the political landscape has since evolved, with Narendra Modi’s government still counting on Nitish Kumar’s backing.

Kishor had separately claimed that CM Nitish Kumar is "on his way out", asserting that the high voter turnout in the Assembly polls reflected "anti-incumbency" sentiments rather than support for the ruling government.

In an interview with ANI, Kishor said, "No, look, Nitish ji is going. Don't forget this. Now, 65-67% vote in Bihar, this is not pro-incumbency. This is not possible. So, let the results come now. Because it is a very messed-up situation. Unless you are doing a scientific exit poll, the people who are talking are talking in the air. That's why they are talking."

News18’s exit poll had said that the Nitish Kumar-led party would emerge as the single largest party in 2025 with 60-70 seats, far outperforming last time’s win on 43 seats. The mega exit poll predicted that NDA would receive 140 to 150 seats, Mahagathbandhan 85 to 95, Jan Suraaj 0 to 5, and others 5 to 10 seats.