Patna : Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor has won the Bankipur Assembly by-election in Bihar, defeating BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar by 18,953 votes.
According to the election results, Prashant Kishor secured 63,203 votes, while Neeraj Kumar polled 44,250 votes.
The Bankipur Assembly seat had fallen vacant following the resignation of BJP National President Nitin Nabin, who represented the constituency for five consecutive terms before being elected to the Rajya Sabha. The constituency had remained with the BJP since 1995, making the bypoll result politically significant.
Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor expressed gratitude to the people of Bankipur after winning the Assembly by-election.
In a statement shared on social media, Prashant Kishor said:
“Heartfelt thanks to the esteemed people of Bankipur and the companions of Jan Suraj.”
His remarks came shortly after he secured victory in the Bankipur Assembly by-election, defeating the BJP candidate by 18,953 votes.
Factors Being Cited Behind the Result
Political observers and local analysts have cited several factors that may have influenced the outcome. However, these remain analyses and claims, not official findings.
- Reported anti-incumbency: Some political observers have claimed that dissatisfaction with the BJP-led government in Bihar and the leadership of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary may have influenced voters.
- Voting pattern: According to BJP workers cited in media reports, turnout reportedly declined by around 9 percentage points in about 250 polling stations considered BJP strongholds, while turnout increased by around 7 percentage points in nearly 50 polling stations traditionally favourable to the Opposition.
- Caste equations: Analysts have suggested that a section of Bhumihar, Kurmi, Rajput, Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and Dalit voters, along with a section of Kayastha voters, may have supported Prashant Kishor.
- Women’s vote: Some observers have also claimed that a section of women voters, traditionally considered supporters of former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, backed Prashant Kishor.
- Vote transfer: Political analysts have suggested that the JD(U)’s vote base may not have been fully transferred to the BJP in the by-election.
High-Profile Campaign
The by-election witnessed an intensive campaign by the BJP. According to political observers, the party deployed around 40 star campaigners along with senior leaders from NDA allies and carried out extensive door-to-door outreach. Despite the high-profile campaign, Prashant Kishor emerged victorious.