Cong may field Shekhar Suman against Shotgun in Patna?

PATNA: While the boisterous Bihari babu Shatrughan Sinha (BJP) may liken his jousting with Congress’s possible candidate from Patna Sahib,
Shekhar Suman, as contest between a ‘shotgun’ and a ‘popgun’, there’s no denying that the grand old party has sprung a decent surprise by pitting the TV star against yesteryears’ Bollywood hero from the newly-created constituency.

Patna Sahib came into being after delimitation. The former Patna LS seat was split into two — Patna Sahib and Pataliputra. Some parts of the Barh LS constituency are now in Patna Sahib.

‘‘We’re going to give Shatru a run for his money. Talks are on and we’re sure Suman will contest,’’ said state Congress working president Madan Mohan Jha. Suman’s family confirmed this. ‘‘Suman has told us about his intention to fight,’’ said Suman’s mother Usha Prasad. Both Sinha and Suman are Kayastha, the dominating caste here. BJP is putting up a brave face. ‘‘Even Amitabh Bachchan will make no difference.

This seat is BJP’s,’’ said deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, dismissing Suman as ‘‘no contest’’ to Bihari Babu.

Till Saturday, Sinha was sitting pretty. Despite creating a flutter within BJP with his statements, he managed to get his chosen seat leaving behind other claimants like former minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. This despite the fact CM Nitish Kumar wasn’t reportedly keen on Sinha’s candidature. Sinha’s candidature has put even RJD in a fix, as it’s finding it difficult to select a candidate of his stature. ‘‘Some people may believe it’s because of my popularity that RJD hasn’t been able to announce its candidate,’’ Sinha told TOI.

Source : Times of India