From mathematics to Bihar's poll arithmetic: How JSP's Professor KC Sinha is preparing for a fresh test

His mathematics textbooks have been taught in schools in Bihar for over 30 years. He has written over 70 books. So a large section of the population connects with him.

Every election, other than the interesting mix of candidates, throws up an 'unknown' face -- unknown not in their chosen domain of work, but to the 'world of politics'. Professor and author Krishna Chandra (KC) Sinha is one such name. Sinha has been fielded as the candidate by strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party from Kumhrar Vidhan Sabha seat.

Renowned mathematician KC Sinha will be the Jan Suraaj Party's candidate from Kumhrar. KC Sinha has served as the Vice Chancellor of several universities. His mathematics textbooks have been taught in schools in Bihar for over 30 years. He has written over 70 books. So a large section of the population connects with him.

In an exclusive interview with Mint, Professor KC Sinha shared “one formula” that he believes can address Bihar's development issues in various fields, including education, health, employment, and politics. The Jan Suraaj's candidate from Kumhrar also shed light on some similarities and differences between Mathematics and politics.

In the months leading to the assembly polls in the state, Prashant Kishor, has visited remote corners of Bihar over the past two years and interacted with voters at the grassroot level. He is also hoping to win votes of Brahmins who have traditionally voted for BJP. Surveys showed that Jan Suraaj Party could find a support base among Brahmins, given Kishor's own upper caste background. The poll plank of Kishor being a corruption-free, developed state, sources said his key players - many of them former bureaucrats -- are also handpicked with an eye to their clean image.

A closer reading of Prahant Kishor's list for the upcoming polls suggest that the list is in continuum with his declared strategy of fielding professionals in the upcoming state polls. The JSP was the first party to announce candidates for Bihar after the Election Commission announced November 6 and 11 as voting dates.

Speaking to Mint, KC Sinha said it's education that can solve Bihar's political and development issues. "The only solution to all problems is education, quality education. If students of Bihar get quality education, they can go into different fields and excel and bring development in our state," he said.

The prominent author and Jan Suraaj candidate said he could utilise his knowledge and experience in mathematics to frame policies that benefit students and overall enhance the quality of education in the state.

"In politics, polarisation is there on the basis of caste equation, religion. I always say that polarisation will always be there but it should be on the basis of education, health, law and order, and technology," KC Sinha said.

KC Sinha said one must give proper attention to quantity and quality. He said the government is doing something, but that is not enough. "Quantity and quality both should be maintained. Quantity means more and more persons, more persons should be educated. And quality means they should get quality education so that they can excel in whichever field they choose," he said.