Prashant Kishor Leads in Bankipur Bye-Polls; BJP Holds Strong in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh

In a critical electoral battle, Prashant Kishor, the leader of the Jan Suraaj party, has taken a significant lead in the Bankipur bye-election in Bihar as the counting of votes unfolded on Monday. After the completion of the third counting round, Kishor was ahead of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Neeraj Kumar by a margin of over 1,100 votes, as reported by the Election Commission. This bye-poll marks Kishor’s first foray into electoral politics.

As of 10:35 AM, Rekha Kumari, representing the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the largest opposition party in Bihar, was trailing in third place. A total of 28 rounds of counting still need to be completed. The bye-election took place on Friday, but voter turnout was relatively low at only 34%. The need for this election arose after the sitting MLA and BJP National President Nitin Nabin resigned to take up his responsibilities as a Rajya Sabha MP.

Bankipur, located near the state capital Patna, is traditionally viewed as a stronghold for the BJP and its Hindutva ideology. Since 2010, Nabin had successfully represented this constituency after moving from the Patna West seat following a boundary redraw. The Jan Suraaj party, which Kishor founded in October 2024, attempted to make a significant impact by contesting in 238 of Bihar’s 243 constituencies during the last elections in 2025. Unfortunately, the party failed to secure any seats, with its candidates losing deposits in 236 constituencies while garnering less than one-sixth of the total votes.

Reflecting on the party’s previous performance, Kishor mentioned that his choice not to contest in the last elections might have been a misjudgment. This sentiment underscores the challenges faced by new political entrants in a landscape dominated by established parties. The Jan Suraaj party aims to challenge the status quo and offer an alternative to voters, although its initial electoral performance raises questions about its viability.

Meanwhile, while the results are still being finalized in Bihar, the BJP is reportedly maintaining a strong position in the bye-elections occurring in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The party’s consistent performance in these states suggests robust support amid a politically charged environment. As the counting continues, all eyes are on the outcomes that could shape the political narrative in this crucial election cycle.

Source: scroll.in