Patna: The Jan Suraaj Party has suffered a setback in Bihar after one of its senior leaders, Shankar Swaroop Ram, joined the Congress. The move is being seen as a political blow to the party’s founder, Prashant Kishore, who has been working to build Jan Suraj as an alternative force in the state. Ram joined the Congress at a function held at Sadakat Ashram, the party’s state headquarters in Patna.
The event was attended by the Bihar Congress president, Rajesh Ram, along with several senior leaders and party workers. Ram joined the party along with his supporters, giving the Congress a visible show of strength. Party leaders welcomed him warmly and expressed hope that his entry would help expand the organisation in several districts.
Shankar Swaroop Ram is the son of former MP Ram Swaroop Ram and comes from Gaya district. He has been active in social and political work for many years. In the last Bihar assembly elections, he contested from the Makhdumpur seat as a candidate of the Jan Suraj Party. Though the party is still trying to establish itself across the state, Ram was considered one of its prominent faces in the region.
Speaking after joining the Congress, Ram described the move as his “homecoming”. He said his political thinking and values have always been close to the Congress ideology. He promised to work with full dedication to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. Rajesh Ram said that his experience and connection with people would benefit the party and make it stronger in the coming days.
Political observers say the development reflects the changing equations in Bihar politics. With elections always around the corner in the state, parties are trying to bring influential leaders into their fold. For the Congress, Ram’s joining is being projected as a positive step, while for Jan Suraaj, it raises fresh questions about retaining key leaders as it works to expand its base.
