Prashant Kishor, the political strategist turned activist, will contest the upcoming Bankipur assembly bypoll as a candidate of the Jan Suraaj Party. The seat fell vacant after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Nabin was elected to the Rajya Sabha, necessitating a by-election.
Background of the bypoll
The Bankipur constituency in Bihar is a key urban seat in Patna. Nitin Nabin, who had won the seat in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, resigned after securing a Rajya Sabha berth. The Election Commission is yet to announce the bypoll schedule, but it is expected within the next few months.
Kishor's political journey
Prashant Kishor, known for his role in multiple election campaigns including Narendra Modi's 2014 victory, has reinvented himself as a grassroots activist. He founded the Jan Suraaj Party in 2022, focusing on issues like education, health, and employment in Bihar. This will be his first electoral contest.
Reactions and significance
The bypoll is seen as a test for Kishor's political influence in Bihar. According to party sources, Kishor has been actively campaigning in the constituency, addressing public meetings and door-to-door outreach. The BJP has yet to announce its candidate for the seat.
