Patna: In a notable turn of events ahead of the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, Congress candidate Shashant Shekhar has resigned from a high-paying international job to contest from Patna Sahib.
Shekhar, an IIT Delhi and IIM Kolkata alumnus, was offered a lucrative position with Siemens in Germany with a salary of Rs. 1.5 lakh (approximately Rs. 1.25 crore), which he declined to focus on serving his home state. “I want to use my education and skills in India to work for the people,” he said.
Coming from a politically active family, Shashant’s grandfather contested four elections, instilling a legacy of public service. Before joining politics, Shashant worked with startups and later with Samsung, maintaining strong political engagement alongside his corporate career.
Shashant joined the Congress in 2022 and has since actively campaigned in Patna Sahib, reaching around 80,000 households through his “Your Son at Your Doorstep” initiative. Based on community feedback, he has drafted a five-year development roadmap for the constituency.
In addition to his political work, Shashant runs a dairy farm near Khushripur with 80 cows, generating sustainable income while supporting local families and communities.
Patna Sahib has traditionally followed caste-based voting patterns, but Shashant believes 2025 will mark a shift: “This election will be different. Voters will focus on issues rather than caste. Congress is prioritising merit and performance.”
With his decision to leave a lucrative overseas career for public service, Shashant Shekhar has emerged as one of the most talked-about young faces in Bihar’s electoral landscape.
