Try GOLD - Free
Engineered Politics
The Statesman Kolkata
|November 19, 2025
Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor's long-awaited leap from political strategist to political contender was always going to be a high-stakes experiment. For years he had been the backroom architect of some of India's most formidable electoral campaigns.
-
When he finally stepped out with Jan Suraaj, the expectation ~ fair or unfair ~ was that he would rewrite Bihar's politics with the precision of a campaign blueprint. The verdict, however, was far more sobering.
Jan Suraaj's performance in the 2025 assembly elections exposed a structural reality often forgotten in the age of political startups: strategy can amplify a movement, but it cannot substitute for one.
This story is from the November 19, 2025 edition of The Statesman Kolkata.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Statesman Kolkata
The Statesman
The only thing I wanted was to win, says Usman Khawaja
Test appearance came with a five-wicket victory for Australia in the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.
1 mins
January 09, 2026
The Statesman
B'desh police arrest key accused in Dipu Das lynching
Dhaka: The Detective Branch (DB) of Bangladesh police on Thursday arrested another prime accused in connection with the murder of a Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Mymensingh district.
1 min
January 09, 2026
The Statesman
After Caracas
Venezuela was not an aberration. It was a declaration.
2 mins
January 09, 2026
The Statesman
Markets end sharply lower; investors lose ₹8 lakh crore
The stock market witnessed a fall on Thursday as bears tightened their grip, leading to theindices extending losses forthe fourth consecutive session.
1 mins
January 09, 2026
The Statesman
J&K: Cop injured in Kathuagunfight, search Op resumes to track terrorist
One security personnel suffered minor injuries in an ensuing counter insurgency operation in which three terrorists are believed to be trapped in Billawar tehsil of Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.y
1 min
January 09, 2026
The Statesman
Setback to India-backed Int'l Solar Alliance as US withdraws from 66 'anti-American' bodies
In a major setback to the India-backed International Solar Alliance ~ a collaborative initiative between India and France aimed at uniting efforts to combat climate change by implementing solar energy solutions ~ the United States has withdrawn membership from the multilateral body.
1 mins
January 09, 2026
The Statesman Kolkata
CM intervention unconstitutional, says BJP; TMC Itahar rally rattled BJP, counters TMC
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday mounted asharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following her visit tothe Kolkata office of political consultancy firm I-PAC, which was being raided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
2 mins
January 09, 2026
The Statesman
Mamata steps in as ED raids I-PAC chief’s home, office; says politically motivated
ED moves Calcutta HC, alleges seizure of documents by CM:
1 mins
January 09, 2026
The Statesman Kolkata
Three-day hunger strike against relocating Gauhati HC to North Guwahati begins
Members of the Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA) on Thursday began a three-day hunger strike to protest the Assam government's decision to shift
1 min
January 09, 2026
The Statesman Kolkata
Indian players dominate on Day 2 at Tata Steel Chess India
Rounds four to six of the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid produced high drama, fighting chess and several shifts at the top of the standings in both the Open and Women’s sections.
1 mins
January 09, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size