Jan Suraaj, led by Prashant Kishor, contested its debut Assembly elections in Bihar by fielding candidates across all 243 seats. Of these, 239 candidates are in the race after three withdrew and one nomination was rejected. The party claims to prioritise credible candidates with strong academic backgrounds. A notable finding is that 55 candidates (approximately one-fourth) hold post-graduate degrees, while 94 are graduates and 11 have PhDs. The party has fielded around 22 doctors and several engineers. About 85 candidates list agriculture as their occupation. Despite Kishor's promise of 40 women candidates, Jan Suraaj nominated 25 women, which is nearly double the BJP and JD(U)'s count of 13 each. The RJD fielded 23 women from its larger share of seats. Analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms shows 44% of Jan Suraaj candidates declared criminal cases. The party's candidate selection reflects a mix of academic credentials, professional backgrounds, and diverse caste representation, aiming to reshape Bihar's political landscape.
Educational and Professional Profile of Candidates
Jan Suraaj has emphasised academic credentials in its candidate selection. The party has fielded approximately 22 doctors, including general surgeons, dental surgeons, paediatricians, and AYUSH practitioners. Among them is Jagriti Thakur, a dentist and granddaughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur. Retired IPS officer Rakesh Kumar Mishra, a gold medalist in B.Tech (Civil) from IIT-BHU, is contesting from Darbhanga. Shoaib Ahmed Khan holds a PhD from Maryland State University, USA. Ten candidates declared themselves literate, while some have studied at madrasas or Sanskrit schools. The youngest nominee is 26-year-old Rohit Kumar, and the eldest is Dr Arun Kumar at 80 years. The average age stands at 50 years.
Caste, Gender, and Criminal Background Analysis
Of the 239 candidates, 98 belong to the general category (41%), 54 are OBCs (22.5%), 26 are EBCs (10.8%), and 41 are Scheduled Castes. The party fielded 28 Muslims, just two fewer than the entire Mahagathbandhan's 30. Jan Suraaj has 173 rural and 58 urban candidates. While promising 40 women, the party nominated 25, surpassing BJP and JD(U). Analysis shows 44% of candidates declared criminal cases and 43% serious criminal cases, lower than RJD's 76% and 60%, and BJP's 65% and 56%. The party justified these selections citing local demand and social work. Prominent candidates include former RJD MP Sarfaraz Alam and ex-BJP leaders. Over two dozen elected village heads and council members are contesting.
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