Prashant Kishor's BIG Poll Pitch: Private School Education Dole For Poor. Here's What He Promises

Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj promises free education for children under 15, including in private schools, and a pension of Rs 2000 for senior citizens over 60.

Last week, Kishor said his political campaign, Jan Suraaj, will contest all 243 seats in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections (Image: Jan Suraaj Team)

Source : Jan Suraaj Team

Poll strategist-turned-political activist Prashant Kishor on Tuesday claimed if his Jan Suraaj Abhiyan comes to power after the 2025 Bihar Assembly polls, the government will bear the expense of education for all children below 15 years of age-- even those studying in private schools. 

Addressing a poll meeting in Patna, Kishor also promised that the pension amount of senior citizens would be increased to Rs 2,000 if his party came into power. 

BREAKING | बिहार को लेकर प्रशांत किशोर का बड़ा एलान

- '15 साल से कम उम्र के बच्चों को प्राइवेट स्कूल में पढ़ाएंगे'@kumarprakash4u की रिपोर्ट@romanaisarkhan | https://t.co/smwhXURgtc #Prashantkishor #JanSuraaj #Bihar #BreakingNews #LatestUpdates #ABPNews pic.twitter.com/XSfK6aY90X

— ABP News (@ABPNews) August 30, 2024

"In the name of education for the poor, Rs 50,000 crore is being spent, and not even 50,000 children of the poor are getting the education. All the money is being looted. So, the next year when the janta raaj comes, the government will bear the expense of education, stationery and uniforms for all children below 15 years. Even if you want to educate your children in a private school, the cost will be borne by the government," the political activist said.

He also accused the Nitish Kumar government of neglecting the senior citizens in the state. "Nitish Kumar is giving alms of Rs 400 per month as pension in this time of inflation. So, when the janta raaj comes next year, from December 2025, every person above the age of 60 will get at least Rs 2000 per month in pension," he added. 

Further, in what seemed like a veiled dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government's Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), Kishor said, "Now decide if next time you want to vote for 2-4 kg of grains or the future employment of your children."

Last week, Kishor said his political campaign, Jan Suraaj, will contest all 243 seats in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, with at least 40 women candidates in the fray. He told media persons in Gaya that if in 2025, Jan Suraaj forms the government, within a year, no one will have to leave Bihar to earn a mere Rs 10-12 thousand. "We have laid out a comprehensive blueprint for this, and it has received enthusiastic support from women," he said. 

Urging voters to prioritise the future of their children over traditional political loyalties, the political strategist stated, "I urge everyone that next time you cast your vote, do not cast it for the children of political leaders but for your own children. If you desire true public governance, vote for those who will not betray your trust, irrespective of their caste."