Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party has announced the candidacy of former Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Shri Krishna Singh, for the upcoming bypoll in the Tarari assembly seat. This strategic move comes in the wake of the vacancy created by CPI(ML) leader Sudama Prasad’s election to the Lok Sabha.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Kishor expressed pride in Singh’s candidacy, noting that he is the first vice chief of army staff from Bihar since the late S.K. Sinha. Kishor emphasized that Singh’s nomination is significant for Tarari, a constituency that has struggled with issues related to “illegal sand-mining and other mafia” activities. “His presence in the election is a matter of pride for Tarari,” Kishor stated.
Lt. Gen. Singh, who retired from the army in 2013, elaborated on his motivations for entering politics. A native of Tarari, Singh shared his deep emotional connection to the region, explaining that it compelled him to return despite living a comfortable life elsewhere. “My children are settled abroad, and my wife is no more. I am giving up a comfortable life because of my love for Tarari, the place to which I belong. The respect I get there for having served in the army is something I never saw in Delhi or Noida,” Singh remarked.
Singh also voiced his concerns regarding the Agniveer scheme, a military recruitment initiative introduced by the central government, which has faced widespread protests since its announcement. Expressing his dissatisfaction with the scheme’s four-year service contract for new recruits, Singh asserted that this limited tenure undermines the “regimentation” crucial for a soldier’s lifelong commitment to their regiment and the nation. He stated, “We should learn from our experience in Galwan, where Chinese troops had superior technical knowledge, but our forces outperformed them in terms of spirit (jazba).”
Despite his criticisms, Singh emphasized that he would not discourage young people from pursuing a military career. He acknowledged the skills that a young soldier could acquire within four years, suggesting that these could help them build a future. Singh also hinted at the possibility of future changes to the Agniveer scheme, indicating that the government may amend it in line with the Short Service Commission.
As the bypoll approaches, Singh’s candidacy represents a blend of military experience and local pride, with many eyes on how his campaign will unfold in Tarari.
