Patna: Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) on Thursday released its first list of 51 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, marking the party’s official electoral debut.
The list features a diverse mix of candidates — including former vice-chancellors, retired bureaucrats, doctors, lawyers, social activists, and local representatives — reflecting JSP’s attempt to redefine Bihar’s political landscape with “clean, capable, and community-rooted” individuals.
Among the prominent names is Bhojpuri singer and actor Ritesh Ranjan Pandey, who will contest from Kargahar, and Pritti Kinnar, who has been fielded from the Bhorey seat in Gopalganj.
Other notable candidates include former Patna University and Nalanda Open University Vice-Chancellor KC Sinha, a renowned author of mathematics books, contesting from Kumhrar (Patna), and retired IPS officer RK Mishra from Darbhanga. Senior advocate YV Giri has been fielded from Manjhi, while several medical professionals have also been included in the list.
Party’s Vision and Social Representation
जन सुराज के उम्मीदवारों की पहली सूची। pic.twitter.com/5VFYHHWm1W
— Jan Suraaj (@jansuraajonline) October 9, 2025
JSP national president Uday Singh, while releasing the list, said the party has ensured balanced social representation. Of the 51 candidates,
17 seats have gone to Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs),
11 to Backward Classes (BCs),
8 to minorities,
7 to Scheduled Castes (SCs), and
8 to the General category.
He also clarified that Prashant Kishor’s own candidature has not been decided yet, though he will launch the party’s campaign on October 11 from Raghopur, the constituency represented by RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.
“The JSP list is clean and gives representation to capable people from all sections of society. The same trend will continue in upcoming lists,” Singh stated, adding that the second list would be out within a couple of days.
Internal Reactions and Strategy
While some supporters expressed disappointment over not getting tickets, senior advocate YV Giri said such reactions were natural.
“All those who have worked hard for JSP had expectations. But the larger cause of the party is more important — that’s what makes this movement different,” he added.
A senior JSP leader noted that confining Prashant Kishor to a single seat was strategically unwise as his focus is needed across the state for campaign planning and organisation.
Early Preparedness for November Polls
Out of 121 constituencies going to polls in the first phase on November 6, JSP has announced candidates for 51 — becoming the first party in Bihar to release its list ahead of major alliances like the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan, which are still negotiating seat-sharing formulas.
Formed on October 2, 2024, following Kishor’s two-year-long padayatra, the Jan Suraaj Party has built a membership base of over 10.7 million people, guided by its core principles of “Sahi Log, Sahi Soch, Sahi Prayas” (Right People, Right Thinking, Collective Effort).
Analysts Weigh In
Social and political analysts say that JSP’s entry brings a fresh narrative to Bihar politics, which has long been dominated by BJP, JD(U), and RJD.
“How much impact Kishor can make on Bihar’s electoral landscape with people-centric issues like unemployment, migration, education, and corruption will be interesting to watch,” said political analyst NK Choudhary.
“But one thing is certain — he has given Bihar’s voters a reason to think beyond traditional political binaries,” he added.