PATNA, Oct. 19 -- At 70, Prof KC Sinha cuts an unlikely figure in Bihar's raucous political landscape. The Jan Suraaj candidate from Patna's Kumhrar assembly constituency, known more for his towering academic legacy than his 5'1" frame, filed his nomination papers on Wednesday (October 15) - marking a quiet but significant shift from classrooms to the campaign trail. Unmindful of political dress codes, Sinha's full-sleeved shirt, trousers, and Skechers sneakers stand out amid a sea of starched kurtas and bundis. His modest attire, calm demeanour, and absence of an entourage often lead voters to mistake him for an ordinary passerby - until Jan Suraaj volunteers on motorbikes announce his candidacy through handheld microphones. Unlike the usual politician who goes door-to-door with folded hands, Sinha's connect with voters is of a different kind. For many across the 18-60 age group, he is a revered teacher whose 70-odd mathematics books - on algebra, calculus, trigonometry, vector geometry and set theory - have shaped their academic journeys. On the campaign, instead of Sinha, it is the voters who bow before him, some even touching his feet in respect. Sinha's campaign style, too, mirrors his simplicity. He drives in his dark blue Maruti Baleno, accompanied only by a handful of young volunteers. "We've taken permission for just one car and a 'toto' (battery operated golf cart type auto-rickshaw)," said Janmejay, his Jan Suraaj aide. Born in Beur village of Kaimur district's Chainpur block, Sinha's journey is a study in perseverance. Having failed an entrance test in Class 4 with zero marks in mathematics, he aced the retest with a perfect score after a month of focused study - an early sign of the discipline that would define his life. He went on to top his district in school, and later, his university at both graduation (1972) and post-graduation (1974) levels. A topper throughout, Sinha could have easily joined the IITs or civil services - he missed the IAS cut by a few marks and was overlooked for IPS due to his diminutive build. Yet he chose to stay in Bihar and teach. Beginning as a lecturer at Jain College, Ara, in 1977, he rose through Patna University's ranks to become a reader, professor, head of department, dean, and eventually principal of Patna Science College. Recognised for his academic excellence, he later served as vice chancellor of Nalanda Open University and held additional charge of four other universities between 2021 and 2024. His tenure was marked by administrative reforms and academic revival. After superannuating in 2019, Sinha joined his student Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj last year on latter's insistence, seeking to expand his contribution from education to policy-making. "As a principal or VC, my influence was limited to institutions. In politics, I can work for systemic reforms - especially in education and agriculture, Bihar's core strength," he said. Unfazed by Bihar's reputation for muscle power in politics, Sinha believes intellect will be Jan Suraaj's strength. "Our party, too, has its 'bahubalis' - in academics, medicine, law and public service. We will counter their (political rivals) muscle and money power with our mind through clean and good politics," he said with a smile. In Kumhrar, a BJP stronghold for nearly four decades, Sinha's focus is on addressing civic issues like waterlogging, sanitation and transforming the constituency into an education hub. "With Patna University and Patliputra University nearby, Kumhrar can be developed into a knowledge corridor. I also want to improve conditions for poor students who come to Patna to prepare for competitive exams, take tutorial classes, live in difficult conditions in lodges and do group study on the paver tiles along the banks of the Ganga river," he said. That Jan Suraaj's symbol is a school bag is a testament to the party's focus on education, besides clean and good governance it promises. Whether the celebrated mathematician can solve the political equation in Kumhrar remains to be seen. His political test is on November 6, when Patna goes to polls. The answer will emerge on November 14, when results of the two-phase Bihar assembly polls are declared....