Recently, the Jan Suraj Party (JSP), led by political strategist Prashant Kishor, chose Manoj Bharti, a distinguished former diplomat and IIT alumnus, as its president. This is a big moment in Indian politics because Bharti is the first Dalit to lead JSP, although Kishore maintained that Bharti’s appointment was based more on the candidate’s capabilities rather than his social background.
Manoj Bharti Background
Bharti was born in Madhubani, Bihar. He attended the prestigious Netarhat Residential School for his initial schooling. He then studied B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from IIT Kanpur and M.Tech from IIT Delhi. Finally, academic brilliance helped him enter UPSC’s list of selected candidates in 1988. This marked his entry into the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Bharti is known to have spent extensive terms of careers in top-level diplomatic positions, where he has served as the ambassador of India for countries like Ukraine, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and Belarus. He also performed pivotal roles in other countries including Myanmar, Nepal, Iran, and Turkey.
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Bharti’s long diplomatic career makes him highly equipped in terms of managing high-level international relationships. Secretary (Administration) at the Ministry of External Affairs before turning ambassador for the nation, Bharti has considerable leadership qualities to his credit. Kishor perceived the same and entrusted him with the most crucial role in the Jan Suraj Party, thinking that Bharti would bring competence and vision to that young political entity.
The JSP, officially established on October 2, 2024, is designed to focus on the socio-political concerns in Bihar and beyond. Lately, it has been stressing the call for social justice, and, more importantly, it prescribes inclusive governance and transparency as the bonding agents for moving the party forward. Bharti will continue to serve as president until the elections in next March for a full-time president. Another characteristic of the party is a leadership council which holds office for two years.
The elevation of Manoj Bharti assumes significance for the JSP as it depicts inclusivity and meritocracy in Indian politics. His experience with diplomacy and also with education provides a sound basis for steering the party in the rather complex political maze that Bihar has proven to be with Prashant Kishor’s grassroots initiatives focused there.
