Bihar: JDU's Gupteshwar Pandey says 'not contesting polls' after Buxar goes to BJP kitty

Just ten days after joining Janata Dal (United) party, former Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey said on Wednesday he is t contesting upcoming assembly elections. Pandey, who took voluntary retirement to join JD(U) ahe of Bihar polls, faced a major setback earlier in day after seat he was eyeing went to BJP under NDA's seat-sharing scheme.

former DGP, who h been extremely vocal during Sushant Singh Rajput death probe, was in running to contest from his hometown Buxar as a JD(U) candidate. Although, Buxar has always been a stronghold for  BJP with prominent faces like current Lok Sabha MP Ashwini Chaubey.  Assembly seat however is currently occupied by Congress' Sanjay Kumar 'Munna' Tiwari.

While BJP hasn't yet release names of its candidates from Buxar and Brahampur, it has anunced its candidate from Shahpur seat in Buxar, which was speculated to go to retired DGP.

In a brief statement in Hindi on Facebook, Pandey said he was "upset" by calls of his well-wishers who expected that he would contest polls after retirement, and categorically stated that he is t contesting assembly elections.

"I am upset with phone calls of many of my well-wishers. I also understand ir concern and problems. After my retirement, everyone expected that I would contest election but this time I am t contesting assembly elections," Pandey said.

"Be patient," 1987 batch IPS officer told his followers, assuring that he will be in public service all his life. "My life has been spent in a struggle. I will be in public service all my life. Please be patient and do t call me. My life is dedicated to people of Bihar. I bow before my brors and sisters, mors and youth of all communities in my native land Buxar. Keep your love and blessings!"

Interestingly, Pandey’s former police colleague Sunil Kumar, who retired as Director General (Home Guards) recently, has been minated by JD(U) from Bhore (reserved seat) in Gopalganj district.  JD(U) got two seats in Buxar district — Rajpur (reserved SC) and Dumraon — where it named state minister Santosh Kumar Nirala and Anjum Ara respectively.

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Gupteshwar Pandey came into limelight recently after he played a key role in Bihar Police investigation in Sushant Singh Rajput death case, wherein he took on Mumbai Police and Maharashtra government for allegedly blocking Bihar Police investigation when team was in Mumbai. Pandey h alleged that Mumbai Police was t fair in investigating late actor's death. Earlier, Pandey h taken premature retirement to contest Lok Sabha elections in 2009, but later state government did t accept his VRS application and reinstated him in service. 

Election Commission of India last month anunced date for upcoming Bihar Assembly election.  243-member legislative assembly will be held in three phases —  first phase on October 28, second on vember 3, and third on vember 7, while counting of votes and results declaration will be held on vember 10. 

After Pandey joined JD(U) in presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, many Maharashtra leers lambasted him for reaping 'political gains' in Sushant case. Pandey also landed into controversy after he asked Rhea Chakraborty what is her "aukat" (stature) to question Bihar CM after  Supreme Court allowed CBI to take control of Sushant Singh Rajput death case.

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