Gayaji: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Friday described migrant workers from Bihar as the “X factor” in the ongoing assembly elections, asserting that they have travelled from different parts of the country to cast their votes in large numbers, driven by a desire for “badlao” (change).
Kishor, who has been leading the Jan Suraaj campaign across Bihar, said that the high voter turnout witnessed in the first phase of the polls reflects people’s aspiration to move away from the traditional political choices offered by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Janata Dal (United).
“The migrant workers, who returned home for Chhath and stayed back, have voted in large numbers. They have even motivated their families and friends to vote. This has surprised everyone,” Kishor told reporters. “Earlier, people were offering Rs 10,000 to women for votes. But this time, it is the migrant workers who have emerged as the real game-changers.”
He predicted that when the results are declared on November 14, “history will be made”, adding that the massive turnout signals a strong sentiment for transformation among the electorate. “This is the highest voting percentage in Bihar since Independence. It confirms what I said last year—that more than 60% of Bihar’s population wants change,” Kishor said. “People had become indifferent earlier because they didn’t see an alternative. With Jan Suraaj, they now have one, and they have voted for it.”
Kishor dismissed predictions and opinion polls, saying that no one can accurately forecast the outcome until the votes are counted. “More than 2.10 crore people have voted. Analysts are making assumptions after talking to a handful of voters, but the reality will only be known on November 14,” he said.
According to the 2011 Census, Bihar has around 7.06 lakh registered migrant workers, many of whom work in states like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. This year, thousands returned home for the Chhath festival, held from October 25 to 28, and decided to remain in the state to participate in the elections.
Earlier, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had alleged that “special trains” were being arranged by the Railway Ministry to facilitate the return of voters from outside the state, allegedly to boost the NDA’s voter turnout.
The first phase of the Bihar assembly elections concluded peacefully on Thursday with a record voter turnout of 64.66 per cent—the highest in the state’s history. Voting was held across 121 constituencies in 18 districts, with 3.75 crore eligible voters.
The second phase of polling is scheduled for November 11, while the counting of votes will take place on November 14.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising the BJP, JD(U), HAMS, and LJP (RV), is seeking a second consecutive term, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan—consisting of the RJD, Congress, Left parties, and VIP—is aiming to return to power. Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party, contesting independently on more than 200 seats, is making its electoral debut in this election.
The polls are being conducted following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, an exercise that opposition parties had strongly criticised, but which the Election Commission has said will also be extended to other states and union territories.
