AAP Enters Bihar Elections: How the PK Factor Influenced Arvind Kejriwal’s Move

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, has officially stepped into the Bihar election arena for the very first time. Despite the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) being part of the India bloc — with which AAP shares national-level cooperation — the party has decided to go solo in Bihar. The AAP recently released its first list of 11 candidates, signaling its serious intent to build an organizational foundation in the state.

This decision comes even as the RJD spearheads the opposition’s campaign against the NDA in Bihar. Interestingly, AAP’s Sanjay Singh and RJD’s Manoj Jha have often been seen displaying camaraderie during parliament sessions, making AAP’s move even more intriguing.

The PK Factor Behind AAP’s Bihar Entry

According to sources, AAP’s entry into the Bihar elections has been heavily influenced by the Prashant Kishor (PK) factor. Kishor, a renowned political strategist, has been building his Jan Suraaj movement, which reportedly mirrors AAP’s governance and grassroots model.

Rakesh Yadav, the Bihar AAP chief, confirmed that the decision to contest was motivated by a desire to showcase an alternative model of politics to the people of Bihar. “We aim to show Bihar what clean and development-oriented politics looks like,” Yadav said.

AAP Bihar’s Internal Push and Organizational Efforts

Sandeep Pathak, AAP’s general secretary, announced that the party will contest the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled from November 6 to 11, with results expected on November 14. Initially, the AAP’s national leadership seemed reluctant, but the release of the first candidate list confirmed their participation.

As per insiders, Prashant Kishor’s growing presence in Bihar was beginning to impact AAP’s organizational structure. Local leaders were reportedly concerned that cadres and workers could defect to Kishor’s Jan Suraaj initiative. “Many local AAP members had already joined Jan Suraaj since AAP wasn’t contesting elections earlier,” said a senior AAP functionary.

Another AAP leader added, “We didn’t participate in the 2024 lok Sabha or 2020 Assembly elections, but our Bihar unit wanted to change that. They argued that if AAP could contest in Goa, Gujarat, and Haryana, Bihar shouldn’t be left out.”

Eventually, the Bihar leadership succeeded in convincing Arvind Kejriwal and the Political Affairs Committee (PAC). A senior AAP MP revealed that the Bihar unit has been asked to independently organize campaign resources with limited support from Delhi’s central leadership.

Jan Suraaj and the Prashant Kishor Influence

Rakesh Yadav admitted that Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj movement played a role in AAP’s renewed political engagement in Bihar. “Many AAP cadres who joined Jan Suraaj are now returning. They had gone there because we weren’t active earlier, but our revival has reignited interest,” he explained.

Following the announcement of AAP’s candidate list, interest among supporters surged, with over 6,000 applications received for election tickets. “These applications are under review, and once approved by the PAC, we will release our second and third lists, each containing 30–40 candidates,” Yadav said.

AAP vs PK: Differing Political Visions

While acknowledging PK’s influence, Yadav distinguished AAP’s ideology from that of Jan Suraaj. “Prashant Kishor promises a new political model, but he still plans to field candidates with questionable backgrounds,” Yadav remarked.

He emphasized that AAP’s model of clean governance — demonstrated in Delhi and Punjab — has already proven successful. “The people of Bihar have witnessed our education and healthcare reforms in Delhi and Punjab. What PK is promising, we have already delivered,” Yadav added.

Impact on INDIA Bloc Dynamics

Despite potential friction with the RJD, which is leading the opposition in Bihar, AAP leaders remain confident. “The JD(U) fielded two candidates in Delhi in alliance with the BJP, while the RJD stayed out. That didn’t affect our ties. Similarly, this won’t strain AAP-RJD relations,” clarified a party insider.

Senior AAP leader Sanjeev Jha reiterated that AAP’s participation aims to expand its base. “We ran in Himachal Pradesh where Congress won. Now we’re contesting in Bihar to strengthen our political model. Our governance approach can serve as a blueprint for anti-BJP forces in the state,” he stated.

Jha expressed confidence that the lack of coordination between AAP and RJD over Bihar elections would not disrupt their broader understanding within the INDIA bloc. However, it remains unclear whether AAP plans to focus on constituencies contested by Congress.

Conclusion: AAP’s New Chapter in Bihar Politics

The Aam Aadmi Party’s entry into Bihar politics marks a significant turning point in the state’s political dynamics. With Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj movement emerging as a parallel model, AAP’s participation is both a defensive and strategic move to protect its organizational structure and influence. As the elections approach, Bihar is poised to witness an intriguing contest between established regional powers and new-age political models centered on governance and reform.