Buxar/Rohtas/Lucknow: From 1985 to 1991, the front bench in Section A of each subsequent grade at the government high school in Buxar was reserved for a boy who rarely occupied it. He frequently skipped classes, yet always stood second. The boy was Prashant Kishor. Almost 34 years later, Kishor is still aiming for the top. His Jan Suraaj Party, the newest entrant in Bihar politics, is set to contest 238 of the state’s 243 seats.

His school friends say Kishor has never shied away from a challenge.

“Prashant was daring from the very beginning. Back then, when most of us wouldn’t dare skip school, he often did and still managed to remain among the top three students. I remember the fine for missing class was 10 paise per day, and he would sometimes send Rs 2.40 for an entire month’s absenc

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