What Led to Uday Singh’s Appointment as Jan Suraaj President?
On May 19, 2025, Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj Party, announced former BJP MP Uday Singh, also known as Pappu Singh, as the party’s first national president. This followed the party’s operation without a full-fledged president since its launch on October 2, 2024, with Manoj Bharti serving as interim working president. Uday Singh, a two-time MP from Purnea (2004, 2009), left the BJP in 2019, joined Congress, and later supported independent candidates. His appointment, decided unanimously by a core committee, came a day after former Union Minister RCP Singh merged his outfit, Aap Sabki Aawaz, with Jan Suraaj on May 18, signaling a strategic buildup for the Bihar Assembly elections.
पूर्णिया के दो बार के सांसद उदय सिंह बने #जन_सुराज के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष! pic.twitter.com/P05Y5XOk4z
— Deepak Thakur 🇮🇳 (@deepakkr_thakur) May 19, 2025
Prashant Kishor made it clear he would not hold any official post in Jan Suraaj, stating, “Is dal ka neta Prashant Kishor nahin hai” (Prashant Kishor is not the leader of this party). Instead, he emphasized that the party’s leader should be the most capable representative of Bihar with widespread support. Kishor’s decision aligns with his focus on grassroots engagement, as he announced plans to resume his ‘padayatra’ across Bihar starting May 20, 2025. By delegating organizational duties to Uday Singh and RCP Singh, Kishor aims to prioritize public outreach, a cornerstone of Jan Suraaj’s mission since its 2022 campaign launch, to address local issues and build a vision for Bihar’s development.
What Is Uday Singh’s Political Background?
Uday Singh, a seasoned politician, served as a BJP MP from Purnea in 2004 and 2009 but faced setbacks after losing the seat in 2014. He left the BJP in 2019, joined Congress, and unsuccessfully contested subsequent elections, as Purnea was allotted to JD(U) under NDA seat-sharing. In 2024, Singh supported independent candidate Pappu Yadav, who won the seat. Known for logistical support to Jan Suraaj, Singh’s Patna residence became a base for Kishor’s team, and he provided resources like a vanity van for protests. His appointment leverages his experience and influence in the Seemanchal region, aiming to strengthen Jan Suraaj’s electoral prospects in north-eastern Bihar.
Why Is This Appointment Significant for Bihar Elections 2025?
Uday Singh’s appointment as Jan Suraaj’s first national president is a strategic move ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, where the party plans to contest all 243 seats. The inclusion of experienced leaders like Singh and RCP Singh, who joined a day earlier, reflects Jan Suraaj’s intent to build a robust leadership with diverse political backgrounds. This move aims to position Jan Suraaj as a credible alternative to established parties like BJP, JD(U), and Congress, amidst heightened political tensions following events like Operation Sindoor. Singh’s leadership is expected to enhance the party’s organizational structure, while Kishor’s padayatra focuses on grassroots mobilization, potentially reshaping Bihar’s political landscape.
