Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party Fields Professionals with Clean Images in Bihar Elections

Patna:

Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has featured doctors, lawyers, former bureaucrats, and police officers with unblemished reputations in his inaugural list of 51 election candidates, stating that if these individuals fail to secure victory, the responsibility lies with Bihar's citizens. In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Kishor, commonly known as PK, highlighted key candidates and praised their contributions, explaining that selection was based on their service to the public.

"If you choose not to vote for such qualified individuals, the burden falls not on Prashant Kishor but on the people of Bihar," remarked the Jan Suraaj Party leader, whose organization is participating in elections for the first time.

Acknowledging Bihar's caste-oriented political landscape, Kishor has strategically selected his candidates to create an effective combination. The initial list includes 16% Muslim candidates and 17% from extremely backward communities.

When questioned whether this composition was deliberately designed to challenge both Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United, Kishor maintained that candidates were chosen based on their accomplishments and integrity. He noted that with one exception, all candidates are first-time contestants.

"Our candidate selection isn't aimed at causing anyone's defeat. Our choices are focused on Bihar's advancement," he stated.

Among the notable candidates is renowned mathematician KC Sinha, former Vice Chancellor of Patna University, whose textbooks have been standard educational materials in Bihar's schools for decades.

YB Giri, the party's candidate from Manjhi, previously served as Additional Advocate General of Bihar and Additional Solicitor General of India for central government cases in Patna High Court.

"Consider the impact if someone like KC Sinha becomes an MLA and integrates into tomorrow's system—would this benefit or harm Bihar?" Kishor asked rhetorically.

He also addressed accusations of dynastic politics and ticket-distribution arrangements with other parties.

"Lata ji is RCP Singh's daughter. She is a female attorney who has been actively working in Asthawa for an extended period. Her work raises no concerns. She is neither dishonest nor financially motivated," he explained.

Referring to another candidate, he emphasized that Jagriti Thakur is not merely the granddaughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Karpuri Thakur.

"She is also a physician and educated woman who has been working in Morwa for months," Kishor pointed out.