Introduction
In a significant development ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), led by political strategist-turned-leader Prashant Kishor, announced its second list of 65 candidates on October 13, 2025. With this move, the party has now declared nominees for a total of 116 out of the state’s 243 constituencies. The list underscores JSP’s attempt to balance social representation while intensifying its electoral strategy.
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Social Composition and Candidate Profile
JSP’s second candidate list reflects a deliberate focus on marginalised communities and diversity. Of the 65 new entries, the party has included 19 from Scheduled Castes (SC), one from Scheduled Tribes (ST), and 45 from the general category. Additionally, the list comprises numerous candidates from Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and minority communities. The party also fielded women candidates, such as Tanuja Kumari from Islampur and Indu Gupta from Hasanpur.
A few names stand out:
- Abhay Kant Jha, a lawyer known for pro bono work during the Bhagalpur communal riots, has been fielded from Bhagalpur.
- Kamlesh Paswan has been nominated from Harnaut — a constituency traditionally associated with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar — indicating JSP’s ambition to contest strongholds of rival parties.
- Bablu Soren, an ST candidate, will contest from Manihari in Katihar district.
Prashant Kishor emphasised that candidate selection was not strictly along caste lines, but intended to reflect both competence and proportional participation from all sections.
Absence of Prashant Kishor’s Name and Strategic Implications
A notable omission in the list is the absence of Prashant Kishor’s own name, although speculation has been rife about him contesting from Raghopur against Tejashwi Yadav. The party has not yet clarified whether Kishor will enter the fray at a later stage.
With both lists combined — 51 in the first and 65 now — JSP has filled 116 seats, leaving 127 remaining for future announcements.
Political Context and Challenges
JSP’s second list arrives amid intense maneuvering in Bihar’s electoral landscape. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalised its seat-sharing arrangement, with BJP and JD(U) contesting 101 seats each, LJP (RV) allocated 29, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha and Hindustani Awam Morcha receiving six seats each.
Meanwhile, JSP has faced an FIR over alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct in Patna, reflecting the heightened scrutiny on new entrants in the electoral fray.
Additionally, controversies over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls — wherein roughly 65 lakh names were removed in the draft list — continue to dominate discourse. Critics argue the process may disenfranchise vulnerable populations, while the Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to publish reasons for deletions and allow claims via Aadhaar or EPIC.
Conclusion
Jan Suraaj’s second candidate list cements its position as a rising political force in Bihar’s 2025 election. By prioritising social representation and contesting symbolically significant seats, JSP seeks to carve out a distinct identity. The absence of Prashant Kishor’s name adds an element of suspense to the party’s strategy. As election day approaches, the effectiveness of JSP’s outreach, campaign execution, and alliances will determine whether this new entrant can reshape Bihar’s political narrative.
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