Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Triumph Draws Political Spotlight

NEW DELHI-The victory of Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor in the Bankipur Assembly by-election has drawn reactions from leaders across party lines, with Bihar Minister Ramkripal Yadav describing the result as a “masterstroke.”

Reacting to Kishor’s victory, Bihar Minister Ramkripal Yadav praised his campaign strategy while urging him to fulfill the promises made to voters.

“Prashant Kishor ji has really pulled off a masterstroke; he played the game brilliantly. He has instilled great hope in the people of Bankipur,” Yadav said.

The Bihar minister added, “I have full faith that you, Prashant Kishor ji, follow through on what you say. However, your statements have kept changing. I heard with my own ears you saying that you would bring about development here just like in Bengaluru. Now, you say that you won’t exactly turn this into Bengaluru…”

Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad said the bypoll results reflected a broader political trend.

“These by-election results are not surprising. This was expected. The same trend will continue in the upcoming by-elections. The results are a clear indication that the BJP’s time is coming to an end,” he said.

Prasad also claimed the BJP’s decline began with the Ayodhya Lok Sabha election result and predicted a Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh in 2027 under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav.

“In 2027, the PDA government will be formed under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav. Only then will the state move towards progress,” he said.

JD(U) National General Secretary Shyam Rajak said the party would conduct a detailed grassroots-level review to identify shortcomings after losing the seat.

“A formal meeting or gathering alone is not enough to assess the situation. We need to conduct a detailed grassroots-level review by engaging with party workers. Only then will the real picture emerge. Based on those findings, we will begin working again to regain the seat we have lost,” Rajak said.

Prashant Kishor won the Bankipur Assembly by-election, giving the Jan Suraaj Party its first electoral victory since its formation. After 31 rounds of counting, Kishor secured 63,203 votes to defeat BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha, who polled 44,250 votes. RJD candidate Rekha Gupta finished third with 14,085 votes. Kishor won by a margin of 18,953 votes. (IANS)