Patna: Prashant Kishor, the founder of political group Jan Suraaj, launched his Bihar election campaign in Raghopur on Saturday, sparking speculation that he may directly contest against RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.
Speaking in Patna before travelling to Raghopur, Kishor said: “There’s only talk that Prashant Kishor, Jan Suraaj, is going to contest from Raghopur, so Tejashwi is looking for two seats. His fate will be like Rahul Gandhi’s, who left Amethi for Wayanad and lost in Amethi.” He added that Raghopur was a “special area” from where both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister have traditionally been elected.
During his visit, Kishor met local Jan Suraaj supporters and residents, listening to their concerns about poverty and governance. He urged voters not to make decisions based on caste. “We will do everything, but you people should not go and vote based on caste,” he told the crowd. When asked about the absence of local MLAs, residents reportedly replied, “They don’t [come].”
Jan Suraaj is expected to release its second list of candidates later on Friday, potentially covering around 100 seats. The party’s first list, announced on October 9, included 51 candidates, spanning professions from doctors to transgender activists.
In an interview, Kishor had said he could contest either from his birthplace, Kargahar, or from Raghopur, where he has been actively engaging with voters. Jan Suraaj has already nominated Ritesh Ranjan Pandey from Kargahar. While Kishor has not confirmed whether he will personally stand in Raghopur, his frequent visits suggest he may be preparing for a direct political contest.
