Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Fields Chanchal Singh for Raghopur Seat, Ends Speculation of Direct Contest with Tejashwi Yadav

Jan Suraaj has officially named Chanchal Singh as their candidate for the Raghopur constituency this evening, ending speculation about Prashant Kishor's potential candidacy.

In Patna, political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has resolved rumors regarding his participation in the Bihar assembly election from Raghopur, instead fielding a candidate to challenge sitting MLA Tejashwi Yadav's family stronghold.

The announcement of Chanchal Singh as Jan Suraaj's representative for the constituency came this evening, clarifying the party's strategy.

Kishor had previously suggested he might personally contest the election, as his party Jan Suraaj prepares to field candidates across all 243 assembly seats in Bihar.

During a media interaction last month, he stated, "Deliberations are ongoing within the party, and if collectively decided that I should enter the electoral race, then as mentioned in my interview, it would be either Kargahar or Raghopur."

However, Jan Suraaj subsequently announced a candidate for Kargahar—currently represented by Congress's Santosh Kumar Mishra in Rohtas district—which intensified speculation about a high-profile contest between Kishor and Tejashwi Yadav in Raghopur.

Raghopur represents a significant political territory for Lalu Yadav's family, currently represented by his son Tejashwi Yadav. Previously, both Lalu Yadav himself and his wife, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, have held this constituency.

Kishor later clarified that his electoral participation would ultimately be determined by his party's collective decision.

Nevertheless, he confidently predicted Tejashwi Yadav's defeat, remarking, "Tejashwi Yadav will definitely lose Raghopur, similar to his ally Rahul Gandhi, who won Wayanad but faced defeat in Amethi during the 2019 elections."

There are indications that Yadav might contest from an additional constituency, possibly Phulparas in Madhubani district.

Historically, this region elected Karpoori Thakur in 1977, who subsequently became Bihar's Chief Minister.

The Bihar election is scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11, with vote counting to take place on November 14.