Donations of Rs 100 each help Jan Suraaj raise Rs 200 cr: Prashant Kishor

Jan Suraaj has remained in the news for involving disaffected elements from across the political spectrum. | (PTI Photo/Gurinder Osan)

3 min read Last updated: Aug 27, 2024 | 6:55 PM IST

Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor on Tuesday said he is confident of raising at least Rs 200 crore for Jan Suraaj, which is set to become a political party within two months through a system of “decentralised donations”.

The IPAC founder, who hopes to conquer the political landscape in Bihar, unveiled his strategy here in response to questions from journalists about his plans to raise funds for the new party, which will make its debut in the state Assembly elections next year.

“Funding is an issue that seems to be weighing on people’s minds for a long time. Of course, unlike the established political parties, we cannot depend on lavish donations from the mafia involved in the illegal liquor trade and sand mining. So, we are going for a system of decentralised donations,” Kishor said.

He said that the Jan Suraaj will ask for donations of a small amount of Rs 100 per person from 2 crore people in the state and expressed confidence that they will gladly oblige.

“We will ask people to donate Rs 100 so that when Jan Suraaj forms the next government, corruption will be tackled at its roots and paying bribes for services like getting ration cards made and land manipulation will be a thing of the past,” he said.

He assured those who join the Jan Suraaj and want to contest the elections, “that they need not worry about money even if the rival happens to be a man of immense resources”.

“We can definitely raise at least Rs 200 crore this way. Of course, by the time of the elections, we can raise much more,” claimed the 45-year-old who gave political advice to leaders as diverse as Narendra Modi, Nitish Kumar, Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee before hanging up his boots.

He added: “I know many of you are sceptical about this approach to fundraising. But remember that times have changed enormously. Until a decade ago, few took social media seriously, but today you can ignore it at your peril.”

The Jan Suraaj has remained in the news for bringing in disaffected elements from across the political spectrum. On Tuesday, Kishor welcomed Devendra Prasad Yadav, a former Union minister who broke off ties with the RJD a few months ago.

Speaking to PTI Video, Yadav said on the occasion: “I really hope that real socialism will find a new life in Jan Suraaj. The ideal of Samajwad has been corrupted by those who put on the mask of socialism but care only for their own families. This situation is worse than casteism.

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First publication: Aug 27, 2024 | 6:55 PM IST