BJP’s Bankipur Bastion Breached: Jan Suraaj Party Makes Historic Gain
In a shocking turn of events, the Jan Suraaj Party, founded by celebrated poll strategist Prashant Kishor, has won the Bankipur assembly constituency in Bihar, a BJP bastion that the party had never lost since 1995. This victory is a significant milestone in the party’s history, marking its maiden presence in the Bihar assembly.
A Historic Electoral Debut
Kishor, who made his electoral debut, garnered an impressive 64,151 votes, defeating his nearest BJP rival Neeraj Kumar by a margin of 19,324 votes. Kumar, a low-key BJP youth wing leader, was hastily fielded by the party after its candidate Abhishek “Bunty” pulled out at the eleventh hour, citing “family reasons.”
Congress Retains Datia Assembly Seat
In a separate by-poll, the Congress retained the Datia assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh, with party candidate Ghanshyam Singh defeating his nearest rival Ashutosh Tiwari of the BJP by 6,016 votes. At the end of all 15 rounds of counting, Singh secured 66,757 votes, while Tiwari polled 60,741 votes. This victory is a testament to the Congress’s ability to hold onto its strongholds.
BJP Retains Manjalpur Assembly Seat in Gujarat
In another by-poll, the BJP retained the Manjalpur assembly seat in Vadodara district, Gujarat, with party candidate Satish Govindbhai Patel winning the election, defeating his Congress challenger and former minister Bhikhabhai Rabari by 30,630 votes. Patel secured 55,481 votes, while Rabari polled 24,851 votes.
A Wake-Up Call for Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Kishor has ruled out the possibility of joining any political alliance, claiming that his victory in the Bankipur assembly by-poll was made possible “with the backing of” disgruntled supporters of parties such as the BJP, Congress, and the RJD. He has also called for a change in leadership in Bihar, stating that the victory is a wake-up call for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who must install a new chief minister in place of Samrat Choudhary, a man with criminal antecedents.
A New Era for Jan Suraaj Party
With this historic victory, the Jan Suraaj Party will have its maiden presence in the Bihar assembly. Kishor has expressed gratitude to the common citizens who voted for the party, as well as those who helped Jan Suraaj despite not being part of the party. He has also emphasized that the party’s alliance will be with the people of Bihar, rather than with established parties.
Bihar Chief Minister Congratulates Kishor
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has congratulated Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on his victory in the Bankipur Assembly by-poll on Monday. This move is seen as a gesture of goodwill, but it remains to be seen how this development will impact the political landscape of Bihar in the days to come.