Prashant Kishor (File photo)
NEW DELHI: Jan Suraaj supremo Prashant Kishor on Thursday observed a day-long maun vrat (vow of silence) at the Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram in Bihar, a symbolic act of introspection after his party’s failure in the Assembly elections. His vow of silence comes as Nitish Kumar was sworn in as chief minister of Bihar for a historic 10th time at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leaders and several NDA chief ministers. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after the election results, Kishor said he takes ‘100% responsibility’ for Jan Suraaj’s poor performance. “There must have been some mistake in our efforts… If the public did not show faith in us, then the responsibility for that is completely mine. I take that responsibility 100% on myself, that I could not win the faith of the people of Bihar,” Kishor said.During his first reaction after the poll verdict, Kishor said he fully accepts the responsibility for the party’s performance and announced that he would continue his campaign with greater determination”I will work twice as hard as you’ve seen me work over the past three years and put in all my energy. There’s no question of backing down. There’s no turning back until I fulfil my resolve to make Bihar better. I failed to explain to the people of Bihar the basis on which they should vote and why they should create a new system. Therefore, as atonement, I will observe a day-long silent fast at the Gandhi Bhitiharwa Ashram on November 20th,” Kishor said.The Jan Suraaj Party got 0 seats in the election, a stunning outcome for a new entrant once pitched as the “third force” in the bitterly contested battle between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which secured 202 seats and the Mahagathbandhan (MGB), which won 35.Nitish Kumar’s swearing-in ceremony took place at the historic Gandhi Maidan, which has previously hosted his oath-taking events in 2005, 2010 and 2015. The venue is also known for Jayaprakash Narayan’s call for “total revolution” in 1974.Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan administered the oath. Chief ministers from several NDA-ruled states attended the ceremony, along with LJP (RV) leader Chirag Paswan and senior BJP leadership.Despite the setback, Kishor made it clear he will neither resign nor step back from his mission: “I am not holding any official position to resign from. I have left politics, but I will continue speaking for the people of Bihar.”