Patna: Jan Suraaj on Monday replaced its MLC candidate from the Darbhanga Graduates’ constituency, naming Dr Mohamad Imtiyaz (Noorani) in place of Ravindra Kumar.Meanwhile, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor responded to allegations surrounding the party’s Patna Graduates’ constituency MLC candidate Anuj Singh, saying allegations alone should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing. Speaking to the media on Monday, Kishor said if there was any factual evidence against the candidate, it should be brought to the party’s notice.Kishor said Jan Suraaj would not consider fielding anyone against whom a criminal case was established. He said Anuj Singh was not a new entrant to the organisation and he had earlier contested an election from Nawada on a Jan Suraaj ticket.According to Kishor, Singh had also been associated with Congress politics for more than a decade and was a prominent figure in the education sector in the area.“…He is not a new person for the party. Anuj ji has contested elections from Nawada on a Jan Suraaj ticket. Before that, he was associated with Congress for more than 10 years and is a prominent person associated with education there. If anything is found wrong, his name will be withdrawn,” Kishor said.The remarks came after Bihar Congress spokesperson Shishir Kaundilya questioned Jan Suraaj’s choice of candidates. He alleged that Bhushan Kumar Jha, fielded from the Tirhut Teachers’ constituency, had links to land mafia and arms smuggling, while Anuj was backed by Mokama MLA Anant Singh. These are allegations made by the Congress and were not established in the material provided.Jan Suraaj announced candidates for all eight legislative council seats last week. Election Commission has scheduled polling for Oct 23, with counting on Oct 27. The eight seats comprise four graduates’ and four teachers’ constituencies.
