Patna: In a significant move that sets up a high-profile electoral contest, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor (PK) has confirmed he will not be contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Instead, the party has nominated businessman Chanchal Singh to take on RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav directly in the crucial Raghopur assembly constituency.
Jan Suraaj National President Uday Singh presented the party symbol to Singh on Tuesday, officially ending months of speculation that PK might contest from either Raghopur or the Kargahar seat in Rohtas. Jan Suraaj has now fielded candidates for both seats, confirming Kishor’s initial stance of focusing on organizational support rather than personal candidature.
The Challenger in Raghopur
राघोपुर पहुंचने से पहले मीडिया के साथियों से बातचीत!! pic.twitter.com/9VZvKFsTzY
— Jan Suraaj (@jansuraajonline) October 11, 2025
The 37-year-old Chanchal Singh, who belongs to the Rajput community, is a formidable opponent with deep ties to the ruling establishment. He has a background in the hotel and real estate business and previously served as the state general secretary of the JD (U)’s business cell from 2014 to 2023.
Singh also has experience as a government contractor, having overseen construction for the Namami Gange project at Sonpur Ghat and Simaria Ghat. His private sector activities include constructing a market complex in Vidupur and multiple multi-story buildings in Hajipur city.
Jan Suraaj’s Diversity Push
The announcement came shortly after Jan Suraaj released its second list of 65 candidates for the Bihar elections on Monday, underscoring the party’s focus on a strategy of social engineering and professional inclusion.
The list features notable diversity in both background and education:
- Professionals: The list includes seven lawyers, nine doctors, and four engineers.
- Educational Contrast: The list also includes a surprising candidate: Shatrughan Paswan from Kusheshwarsthan, who is only literate (fifth-grade pass). This move comes after Prashant Kishor previously accused Tejashwi Yadav of failing the ninth grade, highlighting the party’s focus on on-the-ground connect over degrees for some seats. Paswan has previous political experience with both the BJP and the RJD.
- Social Metrics: Out of the 65 candidates, 20 are for reserved seats, and 45 are general category. The general seats are heavily weighted toward marginalized groups, with 34 candidates from Muslim, EBC, and OBC communities, and 11 seats allocated to upper castes. The list includes 19 SC, 1 ST, and 14 Muslim candidates.
Party to Bankroll EBC Candidates
Prashant Kishor outlined the party’s ambitious promise to ensure equitable representation across all communities.
“We promised that participation would be given to each candidate according to their numbers. We had said that we would select good people from the society,” Kishor stated. He added that once the full list of 243 names is announced, “there will hardly be any community left whose members have not received a ticket.”
Kishor announced a major financial commitment, stating, “We have decided that 70 people from the extremely backward community (EBC) will contest the elections. If they do not have the resources, the party will arrange for them. They will also be trained.” This move suggests Jan Suraaj is banking on the EBC segment as a core pillar of its electoral strategy.
