Prashant Kishor Appoints Ex-BJP MP Uday Singh as Jan Suraaj President
K N Mishra
20/May/2025

What's covered under the Article:
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Prashant Kishor appointed former BJP MP Uday Singh as Jan Suraaj Party’s first national president after unanimous core committee decision.
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Uday Singh, a two-time MP from Purnea, supported Congress and Pappu Yadav in past elections, providing key logistical help to Jan Suraaj.
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The appointment paves the way for Prashant Kishor to resume his 'padayatra' across Bihar, as the party formalises its leadership.
In a major political development from Bihar, Prashant Kishor, the architect of several high-profile election campaigns and founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, on Monday appointed former BJP MP Uday Singh as the first national president of the party. The announcement was made during a press conference held in Patna, reflecting a pivotal moment in the party’s ongoing evolution from a grassroots movement to a structured political outfit.
Kishor explained that the appointment was not based on a simple majority vote, but was instead the outcome of a unanimous decision by a specially constituted core committee. This marks a formal shift in the internal framework of the Jan Suraaj Party, which had so far operated without an official national president.
Uday Singh, also known popularly as Pappu Singh, is a seasoned political figure. He served as a Member of Parliament from Purnea, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on two occasions. In 2019, Singh parted ways with the BJP and joined the Congress Party, indicating a shift in political alignment. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he supported independent candidate Pappu Yadav, further displaying his willingness to transcend traditional party boundaries.
Despite his shifting affiliations, Singh maintained close proximity to Kishor’s political initiative. His residence in Patna has served as a key logistical hub for Jan Suraaj operations. According to reports, the now-famous “vanity van” used by Prashant Kishor during his protest at Gandhi Maidan was also arranged by Singh — underscoring the depth of his support for the party even before this formal appointment.
Kishor, who has frequently asserted that he would not accept any formal post within the Jan Suraaj Party, reiterated this commitment during the announcement. He made it clear that his role would remain as a movement leader and strategist, while Singh’s appointment would help with organizational and structural duties.
With this transition, Kishor also announced that he would be resuming his "padayatra" across Bihar starting Tuesday. The padayatra has been a signature outreach mechanism for Jan Suraaj, aimed at building a direct connection with the people of Bihar while spreading the party’s vision of governance based on development and accountability.
The Jan Suraaj Party, launched formally on October 2, 2024, has been unique in its approach. Instead of starting off with a predefined hierarchy, the party focused initially on outreach and mobilisation. In its early phase, former IPS officer Manoj Bharti was named as the “working president” — a designation more symbolic than formal. The recent appointment of a full-fledged president signifies that the party is now transitioning into a more conventional political structure, possibly in preparation for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
Political experts have noted that bringing in someone like Uday Singh — with deep electoral experience, political lineage, and strong regional roots — is a calculated move. Singh's political legacy, combined with Kishor’s modern organisational methods and mass outreach, could provide Jan Suraaj with a formidable foundation in Bihar’s fragmented political landscape.
Singh’s family background also carries weight in Bihar politics. He is the son of former Union Minister Maharaj Kumar Singh, a figure of significant influence in the region. His own tenure in the Lok Sabha was marked by advocacy for infrastructural development in Seemanchal and North Bihar.
With the formal announcement of a president, Jan Suraaj now joins the ranks of other political parties that have centralised leadership. However, Kishor’s strategic decision to remain outside formal power structures sets a different tone — potentially allowing him to continue to represent the movement’s moral and ideological compass, while leaving day-to-day management to leaders like Singh.
The press conference in Patna was attended by key members of the party and received wide media coverage. Political analysts noted that the optics of the event were carefully planned to emphasise unity, planning, and purpose. The visual of Kishor standing alongside Uday Singh projected a message of collaboration between visionaries and experienced politicians.
As the party prepares for future electoral battles, Singh's leadership will be put to the test. He is expected to lead organisational expansion, help finalise candidate selections, and articulate the party’s policy positions on key issues such as unemployment, law and order, infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
The road ahead for Jan Suraaj is still filled with challenges. The political climate in Bihar remains volatile, with entrenched parties like the BJP, RJD, JD(U), and Congress holding strong voter bases. However, Kishor’s party has thus far avoided traditional political rhetoric and has instead focused on development metrics and governance reforms — themes that may resonate with younger and urban voters.
Singh’s appointment also signals that Jan Suraaj is ready to be taken seriously as an electoral force, rather than just a social movement. With his experience, resources, and influence, Singh is expected to bolster the party’s credibility and reach in both urban and rural segments.
To summarise, the appointment of Uday Singh as national president of the Jan Suraaj Party is not just a routine political move — it is a strategic milestone that reflects the party’s evolution, electoral ambitions, and readiness to challenge the status quo in Bihar. With Kishor resuming his padayatra, and Singh stepping into a leadership role, the next few months will be critical for the party as it transitions from mobilisation to electoral preparation.
As of now, public response to the announcement has been mixed, with supporters hailing it as a necessary step forward, while critics question the party’s lack of ideological clarity. Nonetheless, Jan Suraaj has managed to maintain media attention, grassroots energy, and strategic focus, which could serve it well in the run-up to upcoming elections.
More developments, including Singh’s roadmap as president and the future course of the padayatra, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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