Patna: Prashant Kishor’s Jansuraj party on Monday released its second list of 65 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, reaffirming its focus on social inclusion and local representation.
The list includes an unusual mix of candidates — from a 5th-grade pass to lawyers, doctors, and engineers. Among them is Shatrughan Paswan, a 5th-grade educated leader from Kusheshwarsthan who has previously been associated with the BJP and RJD. The party has also fielded 7 lawyers, 6 doctors, and 2 engineers, highlighting Kishor’s claim of selecting “good people from every section of society.”
Of the 65 seats, 20 are reserved and 45 are general, with 19 SC, 1 ST, and 14 Muslim candidates. Notably, one-third of all seats have gone to members of the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) — a move Kishor said was aimed at correcting historic underrepresentation.
Veteran lawyer Abhaykant Jha (74), who once fought legal cases for riot victims in Bhagalpur, is among the most prominent names in the new list. Kishor personally introduced him during a press conference, calling him “a symbol of inclusive politics.”
Kishor emphasised that Jansuraj’s selection process prioritised community representation over political lineage. “We promised to ensure participation from every community,” he said. “Even if some candidates lack resources, the party will train and support them.”
With this announcement, Jansuraj has declared candidates for 116 of Bihar’s 243 assembly seats, including 25 reserved constituencies. The first list, released on October 9, featured 51 candidates — including doctors, lawyers, and a transgender candidate, Jagriti Thakur, granddaughter of former chief minister Karpuri Thakur.
