Patna: The Jan Suraaj Party’s political expansion gained significant momentum on Thursday as Sarfaraz Alam, a four-time MLA and former MP from Araria’s Jokihat, officially joined the party. Alam, the son of late Union Minister Taslimuddin, brings a major Muslim political face from the critical Seemanchal region to Prashant Kishor’s camp.
Alam was welcomed at a press conference by Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, National President Uday Singh, and State President Manoj Bharti at Sheikhpura House in Patna.
Kishor Hits Out at ‘Ticket Selling’ in Grand Alliance
The political event was immediately followed by a scathing attack from Kishor aimed directly at the Grand Alliance and RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.
“This time the Grand Alliance has openly sold tickets for crores of rupees,” Kishor alleged, claiming that internal conflicts had led to “two parties within the Grand Alliance [fielding] candidates” in many places. He demanded that the Grand Alliance clarify whether Mukesh Sahni, who has unilaterally claimed the post of Deputy CM without an official seat announcement, is truly their partner.
Addressing his own electoral prospects, Kishor reaffirmed his decision not to contest from Raghopur personally, stating he needed to focus on supporting other candidates across the state. “Even Tejashwi Yadav and his entire family together cannot intimidate him,” Kishor asserted, predicting that the Mahagathbandhan would be pushed to third place in Raghopur.
Alam Cites Suffocation, Pledges to Win All 243 Seats
Sarfaraz Alam, who previously served as an MP and held ministerial office, explained his decision to switch camps.
“I had been feeling suffocated for a long time,” Alam stated after his induction. He expressed full confidence in the party’s founder: “Prashant ji is determined to change Bihar. Now we will also work to ensure victory for Jan Suraaj in all 243 seats.”
Alam’s political roots are significant in Seemanchal. His father, the late Taslimuddin, was a prominent minority leader and former Union Minister. Sarfaraz Alam first won the Jokihat by-election in 1996 on an RJD ticket, serving multiple terms as an MLA thereafter. He won the parliamentary by-election for Araria in 2018. His brother, Shahnawaz Alam, currently represents the RJD in the Jokihat Assembly constituency, potentially setting up a major family and political battle.
