Prashant Kishor Calls Bankipur Verdict 'Wake-Up Call' For Bihar Politics

TMC Name-Symbol Row: Mamata Faction Gets Football Player, Arup Roy Camp Gets Envelope

Ankit Gupta — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:21:01 +0530

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday allotted new names and election symbols to the two rival factions of the Trinamool Congress, a day after barring both groups from using the party's existing name and “Flowers and Grass” symbol ahead of the October 6 West Bengal bypolls.

The faction led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been allotted the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the Football Player symbol. The group will be treated as a recognised political party in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura.

The rival faction led by Arup Roy has been allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the Envelope symbol. It will also be treated as a recognised political party in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura.

Why Did EC Freeze TMC's Name And Symbol?

The development follows the ECI's interim order on Thursday, under which neither faction was allowed to use the name “All India Trinamool Congress” or the party's reserved “Flowers and Grass” symbol until the leadership dispute is finally resolved.

The poll panel said the dispute involved two rival groups, one led by Mamata Banerjee and the other by Arup Roy, with both claiming to represent the recognised political party. The Commission said the matter required a substantive determination under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

As an interim arrangement for the upcoming bypolls, the ECI directed both factions to submit three preferred names and three free symbols. The Commission subsequently allotted one name and one symbol to each group.

New TMC Names, Symbols Ahead Of Bengal Bypolls

The ECI's decision comes ahead of the October 6 Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar, where both factions have fielded candidates.

The Nandigram seat fell vacant after Suvendu Adhikari resigned as MLA, while the Rejinagar seat became vacant following Humayun Kabir's resignation. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction has fielded Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) from Nandigram and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury from Rejinagar.

The interim arrangement will remain in place until the Election Commission takes a final decision on the dispute over organisational control, party identity, name and symbol. The ECI's Thursday order said the arrangement was intended to place the rival groups on an equal footing and protect their rights and interests during the bypolls.

Ritabrata Banerjee Invokes Democracy

Amid the continuing factional dispute, West Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee on Friday invoked the values of democracy and the Constitution.

In a post on X, Banerjee wrote: “Politics is a permanent war; a war at every hour; a war at every minute; a war at every second - a war that changes interests, needs and priorities. Long live the eternal ideas & values of Democracy enshrined in India's Constitution.”

The ECI's latest decision gives the two factions separate electoral identities for the upcoming bypolls, while the broader dispute over control of the Trinamool Congress remains pending before the poll panel.

Bengal SIR: Over 37 Lakh Appeals Against Electoral Roll Changes Pending, EC Tells SC

PTI — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:22:17 +0530

New Delhi, Sep 18 (PTI) More than 37 lakh appeals against deletion or inclusion of names in West Bengal's electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision remain pending, the Election Commission has told the Supreme Court.

The poll panel, in its response affidavit, said the apex court-appointed tribunals have disposed of only about 1.02 lakh of the 38.20 lakh appeals filed so far.

On July 17, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana entertained a plea filed by Prasenjit Bose, chairperson of the SIR committee of the West Bengal Congress, on the issue.

The bench had sought the poll panel’s response on the plea, which sought disclosure of Assembly constituency-wise data of claims and objections filed by the voters deleted during the SIR exercise.

The poll panel, in its affidavit, said that 38,20,683 appeals had been filed against orders relating to the SIR of electoral rolls. Of these, 1,02,231 appeals had been disposed of, leaving 37,18,452 pending, it added.

The affidavit, however, did not provide a break-up of the appeals filed by electors whose names were deleted and those filed against the inclusion of names in the electoral rolls.

More than 58 lakh electors were excluded during the enumeration phase of the SIR exercise in West Bengal, Bose had said in the petition, adding that while 9.64 lakh applications for inclusion (Forms 6 and 6A) and over 99,000 applications for deletion (Form 7) were received during the claims and objections phase, only around 1.82 lakh additions were reflected in the final electoral roll published on February 28.

On August 25, the top court directed the Election Commission to submit data on the pendency and disposal of appeals by tribunals challenging exclusion or inclusion in electoral rolls.

Observing that they need to be adjudicated in a time-bound manner, the bench had asked the poll panel to explain what steps are being taken to streamline the mechanism for disposing of pending appeals and how many additional tribunals are required.

The EC data submitted to the court showed that 34.13 lakh Form 6 applications had been filed between December 17, 2025, when the draft electoral roll was published, and August 7, 2026.

Form 6 is the statutory application for inclusion of a name in the electoral roll.

The figure includes applications from people seeking registration for the first time as well as electors whose names had been deleted during the draft-stage revision.

On April 24, the apex court asked the appellate tribunals to give out-of-turn hearing to those who make a case of urgent hearing against deletion from electoral rolls after the SIR.

Approximately 700 judicial officers from West Bengal and neighbouring Odisha and Jharkhand were deployed to deal with around 60 lakh claims and objections.

Later, the chief justice of the Calcutta High Court, on the direction of the top court, set up 19 tribunals headed by former high court chief justices and judges to decide the appeals.

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

TMC Symbol Row: Ritabrata Banerjee Faction Picks 3 New Names, Symbols For Bypolls

ABP Live News — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:01:48 +0530

The Ritabrata Banerjee faction of the Trinamool Congress has submitted three proposed names and three election symbols to the Election Commission after the poll panel barred both rival groups from using the party's existing name and “Flowers & Grass” symbol in the upcoming West Bengal bypolls.

The faction has proposed Nationalist Trinamool Congress, Democratic Trinamool Congress and West Bengal Trinamool Congress as its three preferred names, according to sources.

For election symbols, the group has proposed a blackboard, envelope and torch. The choices were finalised after an online meeting between Ritabrata Banerjee and leaders of his faction and subsequently sent to the Election Commission on Friday.

Ritabrata Faction Submits Names, Symbols To EC

The Election Commission's interim order on Thursday directed both rival factions to submit three preferred names and three free symbols by 11 am on September 18. The poll panel will approve one name and allot one symbol to each group for the bypolls.

The interim order came after the Election Commission heard both sides in the dispute over control of the Trinamool Congress. The poll panel said neither faction could use the All India Trinamool Congress name or its reserved “Flowers & Grass” symbol until a final determination is made.

What Did Mamata Banerjee's Faction Tell EC?

Before the Ritabrata faction submitted its choices, sources said TMC founder and chairperson Mamata Banerjee had also sent three preferred names and symbols to the Election Commission in response to the interim order.

According to the information provided by the faction, Banerjee also strongly objected to the manner in which the interim order was issued. Her response was sent to the Election Commission at 11:36 pm on Thursday, shortly after the order was issued.

The Election Commission's decision is an interim measure pending a substantive determination of the dispute over the party's name and symbol. The poll panel said the arrangement was intended to place the rival groups on an even footing and protect their rights and interests.

TMC Name, Symbol Row Ahead Of Bengal Bypolls

The dispute comes ahead of the October 6 Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar, where both factions have fielded candidates. The Election Commission's order means the rival groups will contest the bypolls without using the existing All India Trinamool Congress name and “Flowers & Grass” symbol.

The final decision on the party's name and election symbol is yet to be taken by the Election Commission. Until then, the two factions will have separate identities and symbols for the bypolls.

Congress Back Mamata, Slams ECI Over TMC Symbol Freeze, Calls Move ‘Gift To Modi’

ABP Live News — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 09:36:45 +0530

Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal has criticised the Election Commission of India’s interim decision to freeze the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) name and its ‘Flowers and Grass’ symbol amid a dispute between rival factions claiming to represent the party.

Venugopal alleged that the decision by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was aimed at weakening the faction led by Mamata Banerjee. He described the move as a “blatantly unconstitutional hijack by the BJP” and said it was a “late night birthday gift to Modi ji”.

The Election Commission has, pending a final order, barred both rival factions from using the AITC name and its reserved symbol in the upcoming West Bengal bypolls. The Nandigram and Rejinagar seats are scheduled to go to polls on October 6.

Venugopal Targets ECI Over TMC Dispute

In a post on X, Venugopal alleged that those who had fought the BJP under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership were now being given an opportunity to rebel against her and commit what he described as the “unconstitutional sin of defection with the ECI’s help”.

He also accused the poll panel of acting at the BJP’s behest, saying the ECI had “proven” itself to be a “puppet” of the BJP. These are Venugopal’s allegations, and the Election Commission’s interim order does not establish the claims made by the Congress leader.

Venugopal further linked the AITC dispute to earlier cases involving the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party, alleging that opposition parties had faced similar action during internal splits.

EC Freezes TMC Name, Symbol Ahead Of Bypolls

The Election Commission said its interim measure was intended to place the rival groups on an even footing while it considers the dispute over the party’s identity and control. Neither faction can use the existing AITC name or the ‘Flowers and Grass’ symbol for the upcoming bypolls.

The poll panel has directed the two factions to submit choices for alternative names and symbols. The groups will be allotted different names and symbols from the options permitted by the Election Commission for the bypolls.

Venugopal has demanded that the Election Commission restore the ‘Flowers and Grass’ symbol to Mamata Banerjee. The interim arrangement will remain in place while the poll panel considers the underlying dispute and moves towards a final decision.

'Pass Or Fail The Test': Suvendu Adhikari's Message To Muslim Voters Ahead Of Bengal Bypolls

ABP Live News — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:13:20 +0530

Ahead of the byelections in West Bengal's Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has described the polls as a “test” for Muslim voters, saying they have an opportunity to decide whether they want to remain with the BJP government in the state.

According to news agency PTI, Adhikari said voters in Nandigram and Rejinagar would have to decide whether they pass or fail the test. His remarks came as the BJP stepped up its campaign for the two constituencies ahead of the bypolls.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Adhikari said minorities would have to make their decisions after considering the development agenda. He appealed to them to stand with development rather than oppose the BJP on religious grounds.

ALSO READ | Delhi SIR Shock: 728 Of 729 Voters Dropped From Draft Roll At Bela Estate

BJP Will Deliver Development: CM

“They will have to think and take a decision. They should stay with development and not oppose the BJP on the basis of religion,” Adhikari said, according to ANI. He added that voters had been given an opportunity to come along with development and asserted that the BJP would win.

Adhikari also pointed to the demographic composition of the two constituencies, saying minorities account for around 30 per cent of voters in Nandigram and 70 per cent in Rejinagar. “I have appealed to everyone. The government is BJP's, and it will bring development,” he said.

The Chief Minister made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing a gathering in Haldia in Purba Medinipur during the nomination process of BJP candidate Hasirani Rath for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll.

ALSO READ | Vijay’s London Event Cancelled Over ‘Safety Concerns’ As Hundreds Of Fans Gather To See TN CM

BJP Confident Of Big Nandigram Victory

Speaking to PTI, Adhikari sought to frame the contest as one that goes beyond the majority-minority divide. “This is not a question of majority or minority. We have to win the support of all sections of society through development,” he said.

The Nandigram seat fell vacant after Adhikari, who had won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the 2026 Assembly elections, chose to retain Bhabanipur. The Rejinagar seat was vacated by Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief Humayun Kabir after he won both Rejinagar and Nawda and decided to retain Nawda.

Adhikari also expressed confidence that the BJP would win Nandigram by a wide margin. Recalling his victory in the constituency, he said he had won by around 10,000 votes, but claimed that the current political environment and public support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's work would help the BJP cross a margin of 50,000 votes this time.

TN Bypolls 2026: CPM, CPI To Contest Madurantakam, Dharapuram Independently, Take On TVK

PTI — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:35:11 +0530

Chennai, Sep 15 (PTI) The Left parties in Tamil Nadu are scheduled to announce their candidates on Tuesday for the October 6 byelection, breaking away from the major coalitions, to take on the ruling TVK alliance.

Both the parties, which had previously been in alliance with the DMK, have extended unconditional support to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in government formation in May.

The party leaders have announced to contest independently to prove their strength at the hustings. They would also take on the DMK and the AIADMK-led NDA in the bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly segments.

Both the CPI(M) and CPI have decided to contest byelections as an independent Left front and have already announced that they would not support the ruling TVK, which has fielded two former AIADMK legislators who shifted their loyalty to the TVK hardly a month after the Assembly election results were declared.

While the CPI(M) will contest from Madurantakam, the CPI will seek its electoral fortunes from Dharapuram Assembly constituency. Both the constituencies are reserved for SC.

The TVK has nominated Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama, who defected from AIADMK, as its official candidates for Madurantakam and Dharapuram, respectively.

The AIAMDK last week announced former legislator Kanitha Sampath and K Bhanumathi as its women nominees for the respective constituencies. Kanitha is not new to Mauranthakam. She represented this Assembly constituency between 2011 and 2016.

The DMK has named I Paranthaman for Madurantakam and S Suganya for Dharapuram in the upcoming bypolls.

Actor-politician Seeman-led Naam Tamilar Katchi has already named its candidates - K Janaki Raman and M Karthika - for the two seats respectively.

(Disclaimer: This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

Indira Gandhi’s Assassin's Son Satwant Singh To Contest Punjab Election, Gets Ticket From This Party

ABP Live News — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:13:38 +0530

Punjab's 2027 Assembly election battle is already beginning to take shape, with the Bassi Pathana constituency emerging as a key focus of Panthic politics.

Amid claims for the seat from several Panthic figures, Akali Dal Waris Punjab De (ADWPD) on Monday announced Satwant Singh as its candidate from Bassi Pathana.

Satwant Singh is the son of Kehar Singh, who was convicted and sentenced to death for his alleged role in the conspiracy to assassinate former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The announcement makes Satwant Singh the first candidate formally declared by ADWPD for the 2027 Assembly polls.

ALSO READ: NDA MPs Stage Protests In Parliament Against Rahul Gandhi, Police Action On Students In Jharkhand

Candidate Announcement Made In Amritsar

The candidature was announced by Tarsem Singh at a press conference at the Amritsar Press Club. The event was led by MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa.

Tarsem Singh, the working president of ADWPD and father of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, said the decision was taken to honour families who had made sacrifices for the Panth and Punjab.

The party subsequently announced the candidature through its official X account.

"The party has declared Bhai Satwant Singh, son of Shaheed Bhai Kehar Singh, as its candidate from Bassi Pathana. The event was attended by Shaheed Bhai Kehar Singh’s elder son Bhai Ranjit Singh, his grandson Bhai Puru Raj Singh, Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Agwan, S. Pragat Singh and Bhai Amarjeet Singh Vanchhiri," the post read.

ਅਕਾਲੀ ਦਲ ਵਾਰਿਸ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਨੇ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਪਰਿਵਾਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਨਮਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਮੁੱਖ ਰੱਖਦਿਆਂ 2027 ਲਈ ਐਲਾਨਿਆ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਉਮਦੀਵਾਰ
ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਭਾਈ ਕੇਹਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੇ ਸਪੁੱਤਰ ਭਾਈ ਸਤਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਹੋਣਗੇ ਬੱਸੀ ਪਠਾਣਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰ : ਬਾਪੂ ਤਰਸੇਮ ਸਿੰਘ
.
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ: ਅੱਜ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਪ੍ਰੈਸ ਕਲੱਬ ਵਿਖੇ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਪਾਰਲੀਮੈਂਟ ਭਾਈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਪਿਤਾ… pic.twitter.com/7XmHUfiJJx
— AKALI DAL WARIS PUNJAB DE (@officialadwpd) August 10, 2026

Who Is Satwant Singh?

Satwant Singh, 61, is a retired bank officer and is entering electoral politics for the first time.

His father, Kehar Singh, was convicted and sentenced to death in connection with the conspiracy surrounding Indira Gandhi's assassination.

If the party retains its announced candidature, Satwant Singh will contest the Bassi Pathana Assembly seat in Fatehgarh Sahib district in the 2027 elections.

ALSO READ: Priyanka Gandhi Confronts Protesting BJP MLA Outside Parliament: 'Rahul Went To Jharkhand' | WATCH

Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, son of Beant Singh, who is also one of the two assassins of Indira Gandhi, congratulated Satwant Singh for getting the ticket for the Punjab election.

"Kehar Singh's son, Satwant Singh, has been fielded from Bassi Pathana assembly constituency by the Shiromani Akali Dal Waris Punjab. I congratulate him a lot because his village also falls in the same constituency, in Bassi Pathana, and he also works there. Every year, on the anniversary of his father martyr Kehar Singh, he also organises programs there," he said.

Khalsa won the Punjab election in 2024 by a margin of over 60,000 votes against his nearest rival and AAP nominee Karamjit Singh Anmol.

Bassi Pathana Emerges As Political Focus

The announcement comes as political parties begin preparing for the Punjab Assembly elections and leaders from different Panthic groups position themselves ahead of the contest.

With several Panthic leaders reportedly eyeing Bassi Pathana, ADWPD's decision to field Satwant Singh has added a new dimension to the electoral battle for the constituency.

The party's announcement is expected to draw attention to the political significance of the seat as preparations for the 2027 Punjab polls gather momentum.

Gen Z Protest Impacting Elections? Prashant Kishor Says Bankipur Bypoll Win Signals Political Shift

Ayesha Fatima — Tue, 4 Aug 2026 09:05:43 +0530

After winning the Bankipur Assembly bypoll in Bihar, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor described the result as a sign of political change in the state. He also suggested that the atmosphere created by recent Gen Z student protests across the country may have influenced the election outcome.

Speaking to reporters after the results were announced, Kishor said the broader political environment shaped by the student movements could have had an impact on voters. However, he acknowledged that the low voter turnout made it difficult to draw any firm conclusions.

According to Kishor, less than 35% of voters cast their ballots in the bypoll, making it impossible to say whether young voters turned out in large numbers to secure his victory.

ALSO READ | Bankipur Bypoll: 5 Reasons Behind BJP's Defeat And Prashant Kishor's Win

Prashant Kishor Links Win to Gen Z Protest Mood

"Gen Z movements may have influenced the election result, but there is no concrete data to show that young people voted in large numbers. Unfortunately, that is the reality," Kishor said.

While pointing to the national mood created by student protests, he stressed that the available voting data did not support any definitive conclusion about youth participation in the election.

His remarks came shortly after Jan Suraaj secured the Bankipur bypoll, which he described as an important political development for Bihar.

ALSO READ | Datia Bypoll Result: Congress' Ghanshyam Singh Defeats BJP's Ashutosh Tiwari

'Alliance Only With the People of Bihar'

Kishor ruled out the possibility of joining any political alliance, saying Jan Suraaj would remain independent.

"We will not become part of any alliance. Our only alliance will be with the people of Bihar. The people of Bankipur chose us over established political parties," he said.

He also thanked both Jan Suraaj workers and those who supported his campaign despite belonging to other political parties.

Claims Support Across Party Lines

Kishor said several supporters from the BJP, Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) backed him because they were dissatisfied with the current state of their respective parties.

"I thank not only my active supporters but also those who are not associated with Jan Suraaj and still supported me in the bypoll. Many people from the BJP, Congress and RJD, unhappy with the situation in their own parties, stood by me," he said.

Calling the result primarily a mandate against Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Kishor said he had no personal animosity towards him. However, he claimed that many educated people in Bihar did not favour the chief minister because of his criminal cases and what he described as a lack of qualifications.

Kishor also said the Bankipur bypoll result should serve as a warning for the BJP leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that if Samrat Choudhary had been made chief minister on the basis of caste equations, the party should instead choose another leader from the same community with a clean image.

'Unexpected Verdict': Nitin Nabin Reacts To Prashant Kishor's Bankipur Victory

Vinita Bhat — Mon, 3 Aug 2026 23:23:56 +0530

BJP president Nitin Nabin has accepted the outcome of the recent Assembly by-elections, thanking voters in Gujarat for backing the party while admitting it fell short in Bihar's Bankipur and Madhya Pradesh's Datia. He said the BJP would carry out a detailed review of both defeats and return to the people with renewed commitment to strengthen public trust.

'BJP Accepts Verdict'

Responding to the bypoll results, Nitin Nabin said the BJP respected the people's mandate in all three constituencies.

In a post on X, he thanked voters in Gujarat's Manjalpur Assembly seat for once again placing their faith in the BJP. He also congratulated party workers and office-bearers for securing the victory.

आज तीन विधानसभा उपचुनावों में आए जनादेश को हम स्वीकार करते हैं।

गुजरात की मांजलपुर विधानसभा में भारतीय जनता पार्टी पर अपना विश्वास व्यक्त करने के लिए वहाँ की जनता का हृदय से आभार। इस विजय के लिए भाजपा के सभी समर्पित कार्यकर्ताओं एवं पदाधिकारियों को हार्दिक बधाई।

बांकीपुर और…
— Nitin Nabin (@NitinNabin) August 3, 2026

However, Nabin acknowledged that the BJP had failed to secure the expected mandate in Bankipur and Datia. He said the party would conduct a serious introspection into both defeats and continue working among the people with fresh energy and determination.

Bankipur Delivers Surprise

The Bankipur bypoll in Bihar produced the biggest political surprise of the three contests. Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor defeated BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha by 19,324 votes, ending the BJP's three-decade hold over the constituency.

The seat had fallen vacant after Nitin Nabin resigned upon his election to the Rajya Sabha. Since 1995, Bankipur had been regarded as one of the BJP's strongest urban constituencies, with Nabin representing it from 2006 until this year's vacancy.

Kishor's victory also marks his maiden electoral success and his entry into the Bihar Assembly.

Also Read: Bankipur Bypoll: 5 Reasons Behind BJP's Defeat And Prashant Kishor's Win

Mixed Fortunes For BJP

While the BJP suffered setbacks in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, it retained the Manjalpur Assembly seat in Gujarat.

BJP candidate Satish Patel defeated Congress nominee Bhikha Rabari, securing 55,481 votes against the Congress candidate's 24,851 votes, further reinforcing the party's dominance in Vadodara.

In Datia, however, the Congress emerged victorious, with Ghanshyam Singh defeating BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari by more than 6,000 votes. The result marked the Congress's second consecutive victory in the constituency and dealt another blow to the BJP.

The bypoll results have left the BJP celebrating a comfortable win in Gujarat while prompting introspection over unexpected defeats in Bankipur and Datia.

Also Read: Prashant Kishor Calls Bankipur Verdict 'Wake-Up Call' For Bihar Politics

Prashant Kishor Calls Bankipur Verdict 'Wake-Up Call' For Bihar Politics

Vinita Bhat — Mon, 3 Aug 2026 19:00:20 +0530

After winning the Bankipur Assembly bypoll, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor said his doors would remain open to every person in Bihar seeking help. He said the party would continue to raise issues affecting the state's people with greater force in the Assembly. Calling the result a "wake-up call" for aspiring politicians, Kishor said the Bankipur verdict had proved that Bihar's politics can move beyond caste and the state's traditional political divides.

VIDEO | Bankipur Bypoll: Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor leads by over 19,000 votes after 32 rounds of counting.

Prashant Kishor (@PrashantKishor ) says, "My doors are open not only to the people of Bankipur but to every individual across Bihar who believes that… pic.twitter.com/tQbkxtRrKR
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 3, 2026

'A Verdict On Bihar's Leadership'

Congratulating both his supporters and political rivals, Prashant Kishor said the Bankipur bypoll was about more than electing an MLA. Describing the result as a verdict on the BJP-NDA government in Bihar, he said voters had sent a message to the party's central leadership to reconsider the state's leadership. Kishor added that, in the interest of Bihar, the BJP should entrust the state's leadership to "a good person."

Also Read: Bankipur Bypoll: 5 Reasons Behind BJP's Defeat And Prashant Kishor's Win

#WATCH | Patna | As he inches towards victory in the Bankipur Assembly election, Jan Suraaj Chief Prashant Kishor says, "...I am also congratulating those who lost the election. This is a democracy; there are wins and losses in elections. But the Bankipur election was not an… pic.twitter.com/TtD4hvBiTF
— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2026

Kishor's Breakthrough Win

Prashant Kishor of the Jan Suraaj Party has won the Bankipur Assembly bypoll, marking his maiden electoral victory and delivering a major boost to his fledgling political outfit. Kishor defeated BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar by 18,953 votes, while RJD's Rekha Gupta finished a distant third, according to the Election Commission's final results after all 31 rounds of counting.

Also Read: Bankipur Bypoll Result: Prashant Kishor Clinches Maiden Electoral Victory