Prashant Kishor Says BJP Struggling in Bankipur
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party is struggling in the Bankipur Assembly by-election after its original candidate withdrew. Kishor is contesting the seat in his first electoral battle.
BJP Changes Bankipur Bypoll Candidate
BJP candidate Abhishek Kumar Sinha withdrew from the July 30 by-election, citing family reasons. The party subsequently named Neeraj Kumar Sinha as its replacement candidate.
Kishor said the last-minute change showed that no Assembly or Lok Sabha constituency could be treated as the personal stronghold of a party or political leader.
Bankipur has traditionally been considered a BJP stronghold. The seat became vacant after former MLA Nitin Nabin resigned following his election to the Rajya Sabha.
Prashant Kishor Targets BJP Stronghold
Kishor claimed the BJP was finding it difficult to select a candidate after Jan Suraaj emerged as an alternative in the constituency.
He said BJP leaders had previously projected Bankipur as an impregnable fortress but were now facing a competitive contest.
The by-election has attracted considerable attention because it marks Kishor’s electoral debut after years of working as a political strategist and later establishing the Jan Suraaj Party.
Kishor Criticises Samrat Chaudhary
Kishor also targeted Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, claiming that several BJP supporters and workers wanted a different leader to head the state government.
He said Bihar needed a capable, educated and credible chief minister who could focus on the state’s development. The remarks form part of Kishor’s broader campaign against the BJP-led state government.
Voting in the Bankipur by-election will take place on July 30, while counting is scheduled for August 3.
