Eight months after the Jan Suraaj Party failed to win any seats in the Bihar Assembly elections, founder Prashant Kishor is expected to make his electoral debut in the Bankipur bypoll scheduled for July 30.
According to party sources, Kishor, who skipped contesting in the November 2025 polls, will now stand from Bankipur, a seat vacated by BJP national president Nitin Nabin.
The constituency, located in Patna, has been held by the BJP since 1995. Nabin resigned after becoming party president and winning a Rajya Sabha seat.
The BJP is expected to mount a strong effort to retain the seat, leading to a competitive bypoll.
The JSP core committee will announce its candidate on July 5. Sources indicate the leadership favors Kishor. State president Manoj Bharati said the party will field a candidate and noted local demand for Kishor to run.
The BJP has not named its nominee, though veteran worker Neel Ranjan Ghosh is seen as a leading contender. The RJD-led opposition alliance has also not announced a candidate.
For the BJP, Bankipur remains a key stronghold. The bypoll marks the first major test for Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. A weak result could undermine his position and provide ammunition to rivals.
Losing the seat soon after Nabin’s elevation would also carry national implications for the party.
Urban voters in Patna, including the Kayastha community and traders, form an important base that the BJP aims to retain.
For the JSP, the contest offers a chance to recover after drawing a blank in the last elections with only 3.4 percent of votes. A strong showing by Kishor could reposition the party as a viable alternative.
Kishor has described the bypoll as a referendum on the chief minister’s appointment. Success could boost the party’s standing, while a poor result might limit its future prospects.
The RJD is also seeking gains from any division in urban votes.
