PK changes candidates for two seats in Bihar bypolls

ARRAH: With just a couple of days left for filing of nomination papers, Prashant Kishor 's fledgling Jan Suraaj party on Wednesday announced it was changing its candidates for two of the four assembly seats in Bihar where by-polls are scheduled. At a press conference in Arrah, the headquarters of Bhojpur district, the party said social activist Kiran Singh will be contesting from Tarari, in place of Lieutenant General Shri Krishna Singh (Retd) a former Army Vice Chief whose candidature was announced with much fanfare last week.

The party also said Khilafat Hussain, an academician from Belaganj, was being replaced with Mohd Amjad, a former panchayat mukhiya.

The announcements were made in the presence of Kishor and the party's working president Manoj Bharti.

Talking to reporters on the occasion, Kishor said he saw the electoral system as "pro incumbent" in which new players had a tough time while everything was smooth for established parties.

"It will be only on October 25, when our candidates file their nomination papers, that they will be allotted a poll symbol", Kishor pointed out, even as he exuded confidence that all Jan Suraaj nominees will put up a good show.

"Lt Gen Singh could not fight as election officials insisted that he needed to have his name in the local electoral roll. We chose to go ahead with other candidates instead of making an issue out of Lt Gen Singh. In any case, his choice has sent across a strong message in favour of Jan Suraaj", said Kishor.

"Likewise, in Belaganj it was Amjad who had proposed the name of Hussain Saheb in view of his seniority. But the elderly academician has insisted that he be excused, citing old age and interest in academics", added Kishor.

"Unlike most candidates of the NDA and INDIA bloc, our candidates are not family members of well-known politicians. Jan Suraaj has kept its promise of providing a political alternative to Bihar by fielding common men and women, chosen solely for their social commitment", added the political strategist turned activist.

The IPAC founder also recalled professional services rendered by him to leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD president Lalu Prasad and remarked "Those claiming that I do not have political acumen are guilty of ungratefulness (kritaghnata)".