Big news from Bihar: Prashant Kishor will not contest the assembly elections; Jan Suraj has fielded this candidate from Raghopur.

National News: Patna witnessed a major twist as Prashant Kishor, leader of the Jan Suraj Party, confirmed he will not contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls. For weeks, speculation had grown about his possible candidacy from Raghopur, a constituency known for its high-profile contests. On Monday, the party put an end to the debate by nominating Chanchal Singh as its candidate from Raghopur. With this, Kishor made clear his role will remain that of strategist and leader rather than a direct contestant.

Kargahar decision sealed earlier

Earlier, Kishor had declared that he might contest from either Kargahar or Raghopur. The candidate for Kargahar had already been announced by the party in its first round. Kishor had then suggested he would travel to Raghopur to decide whether to fight from there. But with Monday’s declaration, it is clear he has chosen not to enter the electoral field himself. This decision places focus firmly on Jan Suraj’s candidates, as Kishor continues to shape the campaign from behind the scenes.

Second list of candidates released

The Raghopur announcement came alongside Jan Suraj’s release of its second list of 65 candidates. This follows an earlier list of 51 names, taking the total declared so far to 116. The party has emphasized social balance in its selections, highlighting inclusivity as a key plank. Each name represents not only a seat but also a strategic calculation in Bihar’s complex caste and community politics. Kishor has stressed that Jan Suraj seeks to bring new faces and credibility into the state’s assembly.

Party targeting all 243 seats

Unlike smaller outfits that contest in select regions, Jan Suraj has confirmed it will field candidates across all 243 Assembly constituencies in Bihar. This ambitious move reflects Kishor’s broader vision to position the party as a genuine state-wide alternative. Out of the 116 names announced so far, 25 are from reserved seats while 91 come from general constituencies. The party says its lists reflect a deliberate balance of communities, giving opportunities to backward classes, OBCs, and minorities.

Representation across communities in focus

Of the 91 general category candidates announced, 31 belong to backward classes, 21 are OBCs, and another 21 represent Muslim candidates. This reveals the party’s effort to appeal across Bihar’s diverse electorate. In its first list released on October 9, Jan Suraj had included names like Karpoori Thakur’s granddaughter, former Union minister RCP Singh’s daughter, and even a Bhojpuri singer. These choices signal a strategy that combines legacy names with new aspirants, aiming to capture both tradition and fresh appeal.

Election schedule intensifies political heat

With Bihar heading to the polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, political campaigning is reaching a fever pitch. The results, scheduled for November 14, will decide the state’s next government. For Jan Suraj, the pressure is immense to establish itself in its debut electoral outing. By announcing full participation, the party has raised the stakes. Kishor’s decision not to contest may surprise some, but it ensures he can focus entirely on guiding the overall campaign strategy.

Kishor’s gamble shapes Jan Suraj’s future

Analysts see Kishor’s choice as both a risk and a strategy. By staying away from contesting, he avoids being tied down to a single constituency. Instead, he can project himself as a state-wide leader steering Jan Suraj’s narrative. The nomination of Chanchal Singh in Raghopur positions the party directly against established forces in a high-profile seat. As the Bihar Assembly elections approach, the decision underscores Kishor’s gamble: putting the spotlight on the party rather than himself.