Patna: As counting continues for the high-profile Bankipur Assembly by-election in Bihar, Jan Suraaj candidate Prashant Kishor has maintained a consistent lead. Arriving at the counting centre during the process, he described the trend in his favour as a victory for the people of Bankipur. The by-election has put the political fortunes of 25 candidates, including BJP’s Neeraj Sinha, Jan Suraaj’s Prashant Kishor, and RJD’s Rekha Gupta, at stake.

Speaking to the media, Prashant Kishor said, “This is a victory for the people of Bankipur. The voters have sent a clear message to the central leadership that Bihar deserves a good and capable Chief Minister.”

He thanked those who voted for him and added, “We are grateful to everyone who placed their trust in us. We will also work hard to earn the confidence of those who did not vote for us.”

Reacting to the trends for the first time, the Jan Suraaj founder said that what had been a BJP stronghold for nearly 30 years had collapsed in just 30 days. He asserted that the election was not merely about choosing an MLA but about sending a political message. He clarified that he had no personal rivalry with Samrat Choudhary, but said the people of Bihar had conveyed to the BJP that the state should be led by an honest, capable, and upright Chief Minister.

Prashant Kishor also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to devote greater attention to Bihar, saying that doing so could help reduce migration and unemployment in the state. He added that while his election would not transform Bankipur into Bengaluru overnight, people would begin to notice visible changes within two to three months.

BJP Accepts the Public Verdict

Following the party’s poor performance in the by-election, BJP leaders acknowledged the mandate. State BJP President Sanjay Saraogi said the party respected the people’s verdict.

“We bow our heads and accept the mandate of the people,” he said.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha also said that the BJP respects democratic values and the election outcome.

“Unlike the Opposition, we do not discredit EVMs. The people’s verdict is supreme. The party will review the reasons behind this defeat and formulate its future strategy,” he stated.

The Bankipur by-election is being viewed as politically significant for Bihar. If Prashant Kishor retains his lead in the final result, it will be seen as a major breakthrough for Jan Suraaj. For the BJP, however, the outcome is likely to trigger introspection and a reassessment of its political strategy.