Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Sunday declared his candidacy for the upcoming bypoll to Bihar's Bankipur assembly seat, vacated by BJP president Nitin Nabin. Kishor framed the contest as a "referendum" on the performance of the BJP-led state government under Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
Kishor's Announcement and Call to Voters
At a crowded press conference in Patna, Kishor urged the constituency's "four lakh electors" to "vote for making a difference," a statement met with wild applause from party activists. Nabin had held the Bankipur seat since 2006 before resigning as MLA following his election to the Rajya Sabha in April. The bypoll is scheduled for July 30, with nomination filing from July 1 to July 13 and counting on August 3.
Congress-RJD Rift Over Support
Kishor's entry has sharply divided the opposition INDIA bloc. Congress leader Rishi Mishra said, "Kishor must contact Rahul Gandhi so that a decision can be taken on backing him as a candidate of the opposition. The seat is a BJP stronghold, and Kishor's entry makes the contest high-profile. The INDIA bloc must seize the opportunity to make a point against the NDA." However, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari dismissed Mishra's statement as "a personal opinion," asserting that only Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's official stance matters. Tiwari maintained, "The RJD had contested Bankipur in last year's assembly polls and we shall do so in the by-election as well."
Kishor's Response and Political Vision
When asked if he would seek support from Congress and RJD, Kishor replied jocularly, "Why only them, I shall ask even the BJP to support me. My election will have no impact on the government in the state, but it will usher in a change that is very much needed in the stagnant politics of Bihar." He added, "The people of Bankipur are the richest and the most educated in Bihar. Let them vote for the best. If they feel they can repose their trust in me, I urge them to vote for me... I promise that with me as the lone MLA, the Jan Suraaj Party would still outweigh the remaining 242 ones in the assembly."
Referendum on BJP Government
Kishor reiterated that BJP leader Samrat Choudhary became chief minister "without the people's mandate" as the NDA had won the assembly polls last year with JD(U) president Nitish Kumar as its face. Kumar stepped down from the chief minister's post a couple of months ago after his election to the Upper House of Parliament. "The upcoming bypoll is going to be a referendum on the working of the two-month-old government of Samrat Choudhary. If the BJP wins, I will have no hesitation in conceding that they continue to enjoy public support. If we win, it shall be for them to read the writing on the wall," the former poll strategist added.
Jan Suraaj's Performance and Future Plans
Recalling the Jan Suraaj Party's dismal performance in the November 2025 assembly polls, Kishor said, "We could not succeed in convincing the people of Bihar that we mean business. Still, we could garner about 18 lakh votes. For the past few years, I have devoted all my time and energy in Bihar, trying to build Jan Suraaj as a political alternative. And this shall be my sole occupation for another decade." Kishor noted that a formal decision to contest was taken at a meeting of Jan Suraaj's core committee after the by-election schedule was announced last week.
Other Candidates and BJP's Stance
The BJP, confident of retaining the seat it has held since the 1990s, is yet to declare its candidate. So far, only former minister Tej Pratap Yadav, who floated Janshakti Janata Dal after his expulsion from the RJD by his father Lalu Prasad, has fielded social activist Veena Manvi for the bypoll. After the press conference, Kishor visited major temples in Patna for prayers, including a "Rudrabhishek" ceremony.
