Prashant Kishor Secures First Victory for Jan Suraj in Bankipur By-Election, BJP Accepts Mandate

Patna, August 4: The vote counting for the Bankipur Assembly by-election has concluded after 31 rounds, with Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraj, emerging as the clear winner. This marks the first victory for the party, which is still in its early stages in Bihar.

Kishor received 63,203 votes, while BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha garnered 44,250 votes. RJD candidate Rekha Gupta finished in third place with only 14,085 votes.

Kishor’s victory margin over Sinha was 18,953 votes.

In response to the results, Bihar Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha stated that the party respects the democratic mandate and will accept the people’s decision. He emphasized that the BJP does not blame the Election Commission or electronic voting machines for electoral losses. The party has full faith in democracy and constitutional institutions, and it will honor whatever decision the voters make.

Sinha mentioned that a thorough organizational review of the Bankipur results will be conducted to identify shortcomings and understand why the party could not retain the seat. The NDA had won 202 seats in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. He expressed confidence that the party would continue to receive public support and move forward with renewed determination.

BJP Bihar President Sanjay Sarawagi also acknowledged the significance of the mandate. He remarked, “Regardless of the outcome, the BJP will humbly accept it. The people’s decision is paramount in a democratic system, and our party fully respects that.”

Sarawagi indicated that the BJP would conduct a comprehensive organizational review to determine why Bankipur voters distanced themselves and what improvements are necessary.

He noted that extensive development work had been carried out in Bankipur both before and after the BJP came to power. Nevertheless, he reiterated that the party would respect the voters’ decision and strive to understand their expectations.

Sarawagi also affirmed that the BJP’s commitment to the development of Bankipur would remain unchanged, irrespective of the election results.

The outcome in Bankipur is particularly significant for Prashant Kishor, who contested in the Assembly elections for the first time. Traditionally considered a BJP stronghold, Kishor’s victory marks a major political milestone.