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Patna, Oct 9 (IANS) The Jan Suraj Party led by election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor faced its first major internal rebellion on Thursday after releasing its first list of 51 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Soon after the list was announced, protests started at the party headquarters in Patna.
Angered by the ticket being cut, many dissatisfied workers raised slogans and created ruckus.
Senior party leaders had to intervene to calm the situation.
The discontent mainly focused on allegations of unfair ticket distribution.
Prominent Jan Suraj leader Pushpa Singh publicly expressed her disappointment.
Pushpa Singh said, “We left all parties and trusted Prashant Kishor and Jan Suraj. I have been with them since the start of the Padayatra. Earlier it was said that the one who worked hardest would get the ticket, but the person who was selected did not even visit Mashrak village. Justice was not given – the ticket was given to a leader who is not visible on the ground.”
Responding to the protest, Prashant Kishor defended the selection process and emphasized that the list was made keeping in mind the party’s broader vision of systemic change in Bihar.
He said, “Some workers may be unhappy over not getting tickets, but only 243 people can contest the elections. The list has been prepared keeping in mind our goal of systemic change in Bihar.”
Tension rose in Saran district, where Jan Suraj fielded Shravan Kumar Mahato from Baniyapur, following which Pushpa Singh claimed that the local people would not bless anyone other than her for victory.
Similar anger surfaced in Benipatti, where the nomination of Mohammad Parvez Alam sparked discontent among supporters of Awadh Kishore Jha, who alleged that Jha’s name was being considered for a long time but was suddenly changed.
As per the official list, Jan Suraj has announced candidates for seven reserved and 44 general, OBC, EBC and minority seats. The party has tried to maintain caste balance by fielding candidates.
–IANS
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