PATNA: The Patna Saheb parliamentary seat will witness a battle of stars with the Congress party pitting “Movers and Shakers” Shekhar Suman against the BJP’s “Shotgun” Shatrughan Sinha.
Putting to rest uncertainties about his political inning, popular TV host and actor Shekhar on Sunday made it clear that he will contest the parliamentary election against Shatrughan from the Patna Saheb constituency.
“The decision to fight elections from Patna Saheb on Congress party ticket is final and those spreading rumors that I am not in the fray are nervous and jealous of my popularity,” Shekhar told reporters at a press conference at Sadaqat Ashram, the Congress headquarters in Bihar.
The popular TV star was addressing the media after formally joining the Congress in Bihar. He said that if he wins, “My top priority would be to build a super specialty child hospital in Patna in memory of my son Ayush, who died prematurely due to lack of medical facilities here.”
Earlier, Shekhar’s mother, Usha Prasad, had confirmed to Arab News, “My son will contest from the Patna Saheb seat. He has informed us of his plan.”
Countering speculations that Shekhar might pull out from the race, Shekhar said, “My opponents must have created this situation to cause confusion among my supporters. This just shows their sense of insecurity and desperation because I am giving them a tough time. I will be reaching Patna on Monday.”
The Congress party had announced that Shekhar of “Pol Khol” and “Movers and Shakers” fame will contest against Shatrughan of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Patna Saheb constituency.
“Shekhar Suman will be contesting from Patna Saheb. His joining the Congress will strengthen the party in the state,” Bihar Congress Committee President Anil Sharma said earlier while announcing Shekhar’s candidature.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of Lalu Prasad Yadav has decided not to field any candidate against Shatrughan.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar tried to dissuade Shekhar from contesting against Shatrughan, but in vain.
“Shekhar Suman called me up on Sunday and I tried my best to convince him not to contest against Shatrughan Sinha from the Patna Saheb seat, but he had probably made up his mind,” Nitish told reporters.
The Patna seat has been divided into two constituencies — Patna Saheb and Pataliputra. Incidentally, both Shekhar and Sinha belong to the Kayastha community — an intellectual and educated class dominating this newly created constituency.
