Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor achieved what seemed unlikely after his party’s poor showing in the 2025 Bihar Assembly election. Kishor ended the BJP’s long control of Bankipur, the constituency once held by party national president Nitin Nabin. He defeated BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha, claiming the seat in central Patna as his party’s first win. Kishor had framed the bypoll as a test of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. In his victory speech, he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to appoint a competent and ethical leader for the post. A week later, Kishor maintained his criticism. The question arises whether this challenge to Choudhary signals trouble for the BJP. Choudhary took over from Nitish Kumar after the NDA secured a strong mandate. One bypoll result cannot represent statewide sentiment, and it is too soon to see it as the start of an anti-BJP trend. Still, the win and direct attacks on the chief minister’s character suggest Kishor is targeting the party’s state face. Analysts noted the contest reflected more on Nabin than on Choudhary. Bankipur had been a safe BJP seat since 1995. The bypoll followed Nabin’s move to the Rajya Sabha. Kishor centered his campaign on jobs, education and governance. The RJD has also increased pressure on the chief minister. It remains unclear if these attacks will prompt the BJP to reconsider its choice for the post.
