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No alliance with any party, says Prashant Kishor after Bankipur bypoll win

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party won the Bankipur assembly bypoll in Bihar, marking its first presence in the state assembly.
  • Kishor stated his party will not form alliances, emphasizing a direct connection with the people of Bihar.
  • The victory is seen as a potential boost for Kishor's fledgling outfit and has led to calls from observers for the INDIA bloc to approach him.

Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, has declared his party will forge no alliances, asserting that their only partnership is with the people of Bihar following a significant victory in the Bankipur assembly by-election. Kishor defeated BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar by over 19,000 votes, securing his party's maiden entry into the Bihar assembly. The seat had been held by the BJP since 1995.

We shall have no alliance. Our alliance shall be with the people of Bihar. You should see that the people of Bankipur have voted for us, giving up on established parties

— Prashant KishorKishor stated his party's commitment to aligning solely with the electorate after winning the Bankipur by-election.

Kishor attributed his win to the "backing of" supporters from established parties like the BJP, Congress, and RJD, who he claimed were "disgruntled." He thanked common citizens and individuals within other parties who supported Jan Suraaj, suggesting a broad base of discontent with traditional political outfits. This win is particularly crucial for Kishor's party, which failed to secure any seats in the previous assembly election.

The by-election was framed by Kishor as a "referendum" on the state's BJP-led government. He also criticized Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, a figure with alleged criminal antecedents, suggesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi should consider a more "decent" and well-educated OBC leader. Kishor's stance on remaining independent, however, has not deterred observers from speculating about potential overtures from the INDIA bloc.

Besides thanking the common citizens, I would like to thank those who helped Jan Suraaj despite not being in the party. Such people were in all parties – BJP, RJD, as well as the Congress

— Prashant KishorKishor acknowledged support from individuals across various political parties following his electoral win.

Veteran socialist leader Shivanand Tiwary urged the INDIA bloc to reach out to Kishor, highlighting his "energy and organisational abilities." Tiwary drew parallels between the current "Gen Z protests" and the 1974 "Bihar movement," suggesting today's student activists possess superior acumen. He advised opposition parties to overcome ideological differences and engage with Kishor, viewing the Bankipur victory within a broader political context.

Prashant Kishor's energy and organisational abilities have been there for all to see. The INDIA bloc must approach him. The victory in Bankipur must be viewed in a larger perspective

— Shivanand TiwaryVeteran socialist leader Shivanand Tiwary urged the INDIA bloc to engage with Prashant Kishor after his by-election victory.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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