Overview
- Former Lok Sabha MP and four-time MLA from Jokihat, Sarfaraz Alam announced on Oct. 16 that he left the RJD and has joined the Jan Suraaj Party.
- Alam, son of late Seemanchal stalwart Tasleem Uddin, said he felt "suffocated" in his old party and cast the move as a way to carry forward his father's legacy.
- He criticized governance over three decades in Bihar, alleging deterioration in education, rising corruption, and a need to reduce poverty across communities.
- Prashant Kishor welcomed him, said Seemanchal should shift from "politics of fear" to development, took a swipe at AIMIM’s outside influence, and alleged both NDA and INDIA blocs were "selling seats" while vowing a legal challenge to Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary’s election affidavit.
- The RJD has named Alam’s brother Shahnawaz as its Jokihat candidate, Jan Suraaj is set to field Sarfaraz there, JD(U) has put up Manjar Alam, and AIMIM is likely to contest, with Indian Express sources also linking Sarfaraz’s switch to not receiving a ticket.