Patna: Prashant Kishor’s political outfit Jan Suraaj Party will release its second list of candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections today at 11:30 a.m. The list is expected to feature names for more than 100 constituencies, expanding the party’s reach across the state.
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Kishor said the criteria for candidate selection in the second list will remain consistent with the first, emphasizing credibility, social representation, and grassroots connect. He also announced that the party will make “separate arrangements” for aspirants who are not allotted tickets, hinting at possible organizational roles for them.
The finalization of candidates took place during a meeting of the party’s National Executive held on Sunday at 2 p.m. “The second list has been prepared after detailed consultations with district teams and public representatives,” Kishor added.
Jan Suraaj’s First List Featured 51 Candidates
Jan Suraaj released its first list on October 9, comprising 51 candidates drawn from diverse social and professional backgrounds — including doctors, lawyers, and even a transgender candidate. The list, however, triggered discontent among some leaders who failed to secure nominations.
Among the key candidates announced earlier were Jagriti Thakur, granddaughter of former Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, from Morwa (Samastipur), and Lata Singh, daughter of former Union Minister RCP Singh, from Asthawan. Jan Suraaj also made headlines for fielding Preeti Kinnar from Gopalganj.
Other prominent names include mathematician K.C. Sinha from Kumhrar (Patna) and Patna High Court lawyer Y.V. Giri from Manjhi (Saran).
Caste and Social Representation in Jan Suraaj
The first list reflected a calculated social balance: 17 candidates from the Extremely Backward Class (EBC), 11 from Other Backward Class (OBC), 9 from minority communities, 7 from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and 7 from the general category.
Jan Suraaj’s National President Uday Singh said the party would continue releasing lists every few days to maintain momentum and ensure transparency in the selection process.
Prashant Kishor officially launched his campaign from Raghopur — RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s home turf — on October 11, signaling an aggressive political entry into Bihar’s mainstream election battle.
Highlights of Jan Suraaj’s First List
- Candidates represent 26 out of Bihar’s 38 districts, covering nearly 70% of the state.
- 49 out of 51 candidates (96%) are contesting an Assembly election for the first time.
- Only two — Kishore Kumar Munna (two-time MLA) and Sunil Kumar Kushwaha (former BSP candidate from Lauriya) — have prior election experience.
- 25 candidates (49%) are existing Panchayat representatives, including 16 Mukhiya/PACS presidents, 2 Block Pramukhs, 4 District Council members, 1 Mayor, and 2 Deputy Mayors.
With its focus on youth, new faces, and grassroots leaders, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj is positioning itself as a political alternative in Bihar’s upcoming election, challenging the dominance of traditional parties like the RJD, JD(U), and BJP.
