In a key development for Bihar’s political landscape, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Monday announced that former BJP MP Uday Singh, popularly known as Pappu Singh, has been unanimously elected as the party’s first national president.

Speaking at a press conference in Patna, Kishor said the decision was taken by a core committee specially formed to determine the leadership structure of the party. “This was not just a majority decision — it was a unanimous choice,” he asserted, highlighting the consensus within the party ranks around Singh’s selection.

A two-time MP from Purnea, Singh has had a shifting political journey — from the BJP to the Congress in 2019, and most recently supporting independent candidate Pappu Yadav in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. His long-standing association with Jan Suraaj, though informal until now, has been instrumental behind the scenes. Kishor acknowledged this contribution: Singh's Patna residence has functioned as a logistical hub for the party, and the “vanity van” used by Kishor during his high-profile protest at Gandhi Maidan was also reportedly arranged by Singh.

Kishor reiterated his earlier stance that he would not hold any formal position in the party. With Singh now officially leading the organisation, Kishor announced he will resume his ambitious ‘padayatra’ across Bihar starting Tuesday.

The Jan Suraaj Party, officially launched on October 2 last year, had so far operated without a full-time president. While retired IPS officer Manoj Bharti had briefly served as “working president,” Singh’s elevation marks a definitive step in formalising the party’s leadership.