Professionals, popular faces shape Jan Suraj’s candidate line-up
The list includes many well-known names. Noted mathematician KC Sinha will contest from Kumhrar in Patna, a BJP stronghold with a significant Kayastha population. Jan Suraj is eyeing the Kayastha vote, with the BJP fielding Vaishya and the Congress fielding its EBC candidate. Bhojpuri singer Ritesh Pandey, a Brahmin, will contest against Congress MLA Santosh Mishra from Karahgar, while former BJP MLA Kishor Kumar Munna is the party’s candidate from Saharsa.
The party also benefited from professional credentials and heritage appeal. Supreme Court lawyer Lata Singh, daughter of former Union minister RCP Singh, will contest from Asthawan in Nalanda. Former CM Karpoori Thakur’s granddaughter Jagriti Thakur is contesting from Morwa to attract EBC voters. Other candidates include retired IPS officer Jaiprakash Singh from Chhapra, former IGIMS director Dr Arun Kumar from Matihani, doctor Dr Amit Kumar Das from Muzaffarpur and senior advocate YV Giri from Majhi. The party also fielded transgender candidate Prati Kinnar from Bhore.
Jan Suraj says he aims to make a splash with new, high-profile faces in politics. Of the 116 candidates, 31 are from the EBC community, 21 from OBC and 21 from minority communities. Many leaders whose tickets were rejected by other parties are also meeting Jan Suraj; these include former RJD MP Sarfaraz Alam, who has already participated and is likely to field.
