Patna: Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party is set to release its first list of candidates for the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 on Thursday. According to party sources, the initial list will include names for 40 reserved seats, marking the official entry of the political strategist-turned-activist into the electoral arena.
Reports suggest that several candidates from Kishor’s extensive padayatra across Bihar will feature in the list. The party is expected to field educated youth, social workers, and people associated with farmers’ organizations — signalling a focus on clean, grassroots leadership rather than traditional political faces.
However, all eyes are on whether Kishor himself will be among the announced candidates. While he has not yet revealed the constituency he plans to contest from, speculation is rife that he may choose between two seats — Kargahar in Rohtas district and Raghopur in Vaishali district.
PK Hints at Contesting from Birthplace or Workplace
In a recent interview, Kishor had said, “Elections should be contested from only two places — one’s birthplace or place of work. Based on my birthplace, I should contest from Sasaram’s Kargahar constituency; based on my workplace, I should contest from Raghopur.”
This statement has fuelled speculation that his final decision may come down to political strategy rather than symbolism.
Kargahar: A Caste-Sensitive Seat
Political observers say Kishor’s possible contest from Kargahar — a Brahmin-dominated but Kurmi-majority seat — could be a calculated move. Senior journalist Govinda Mishra noted, “By contesting from Kargahar, Prashant Kishor can send a message that he has come to Bihar to bring change in politics, starting from his home region.”
He explained that while Kurmi and Koeri voters together form a population of 50,000–60,000, Brahmins — numbering around 30,000–35,000 — often play the deciding role. “The last election here saw a shift from Kurmi to Brahmin leadership when Vashishtha Singh was defeated by Santosh Mishra,” Mishra added.
Voting in Kargahar will be held in the second phase on November 11, making it a strategically significant contest if Kishor enters the fray.
Raghopur: The Lalu Family’s Stronghold
Alternatively, Raghopur — currently represented by Tejashwi Yadav — remains a challenging but symbolic seat. It has been held by RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, former CM Rabri Devi, and now the former Deputy Chief Minister himself.
Kishor had earlier hinted that if he contests, he might take on Tejashwi directly. “If I contest, I will contest against Tejashwi. What’s the point of contesting from another place?” he remarked in a previous interview.
In terms of demographics, Raghopur’s voters comprise roughly 30% Yadavs, along with significant Bhumihar and Paswan populations — making caste arithmetic crucial to any challenger. Analysts believe that if Kishor contests from Raghopur, it would signal a direct challenge to the Lalu family’s decades-long dominance, similar to how Arvind Kejriwal once contested against Sheila Dikshit in Delhi.
‘Will Contest Against Nitish if He Enters the Fray’
In another striking comment, Kishor had said he would not shy away from contesting against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar if the latter decides to enter the assembly poll race after 20 years. “If Nitish Kumar contests, I will definitely contest against him. I will fight the party and get a ticket from there,” he said, calling out what he described as Nitish’s “backdoor politics.”
Political Crossroads for Bihar 2025
The release of Jan Suraj’s first list is likely to reshape Bihar’s political landscape, with the entry of new, non-traditional candidates and the growing anticipation over Prashant Kishor’s own electoral debut. Whether he chooses Kargahar, Raghopur, or takes on Nitish directly, his decision will set the tone for one of the most closely watched contests of Bihar Election 2025.
