Jan Suraaj shatters BJP’s 36-year Bankipur reign as Prashant Kishor secures historic bypoll triumph

Patna, August 03, 2026: Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor registered a significant political upset in Bihar by winning the Bankipur assembly seat by a margin of 18,953 votes in the by-election results declared on Monday. Kishor defeated Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal candidate finished third in the contest.

The result comes as a setback for the BJP, as the Bankipur seat had remained an unbreached stronghold for the party since 1990. The seat fell vacant following the resignation of Nitin Nabin after his appointment as BJP national president and subsequent election to the Rajya Sabha. The seat was previously held by Naveen Kishore from 1990 until 2005, after which Nitin Nabin won the 2006 bypoll and continued to represent the constituency through 2025.

Reacting to the bypoll results, Prashant Kishor stated that the public of Bihar does not accept the leadership of Samrat Choudhary. He remarked that no political fortress is permanent, noting that a 30-year-old stronghold crumbled in less than 30 days because the BJP entrusted state leadership to an individual with a criminal background and questionable character, which was rejected by the voters.

Following the confirmation of the election results, Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi stated that the party will review the outcome of the bypoll. He added that the BJP has consistently driven development in Bankipur and affirmed that the constituency will remain a priority for the party moving forward.