Influencer Manish Kashyap repositions political identity with Jan Suraaj alliance under Prashant Kishor
by Utsav RoyAs the Bihar Assembly elections approach, the state’s political landscape is witnessing fresh turbulence. New alliances and shifts are beginning to take shape, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle. In this evolving scenario, Bihar’s popular YouTuber-turned-politician Manish Kashyap has exited the BJP and formally joined Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party. On Monday, Prashant Kishor welcomed him into the party by granting him official membership.
Manish Kashyap’s entry into Jan Suraaj is seen as a potential game-changer, particularly due to his significant influence among the youth and the extremely backward class (EBC). Political observers are now curious about which seat he will contest in the upcoming election. Reports suggest he is likely to contest from the Chanpatia constituency in West Champaran district, a region where he enjoys strong grassroots support. He had earlier contested independently from Chanpatia in 2020 and secured third place, showcasing his local popularity.
Kashyap had announced his resignation from the BJP during a Facebook Live in June 2025, citing that he was unable to represent the people’s voice effectively within the party. Soon after, photos of him meeting Jan Suraaj leaders YV Giri and Prashant Kishor surfaced, intensifying speculation about his next political move. On July 2, 2025, he made his decision official by presenting a copy of the Constitution to Kishor, declaring that true constitutional values can only be upheld through Jan Suraaj.
Though Kashyap had initially planned to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from West Champaran, he withdrew his candidacy following BJP MP Manoj Tiwari’s intervention. Disillusioned with BJP soon after joining, he now begins a fresh chapter with Jan Suraaj. According to Prashant Kishor, Kashyap is not just a YouTuber but someone committed to challenging Bihar’s systemic issues.