Bankipur a message to Modi, Shah: How Prashant Kishor is reading bypoll win

['Himanshu Harsh', 'Himanshu Harsh Is A Correspondent With The Indian Express', 'Currently Leading On-The-Ground Coverage In Bihar. With A Reporting Career Rooted In The Complexities Of The National Capital Region', 'Ncr', 'Himanshu Specializes In The Critical Intersection Of Law', 'Crime', 'Civic Governance.', 'Professional Expertise', 'Credentials An Alumnus Of The Prestigious Indian Institute Of Mass Communication', 'Iimc'] The Indian Express 2026-08-03 15:02:30

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, after winning the Bankipur bypoll, said the verdict was aimed at sending a larger political message to the BJP’s central leadership rather than merely electing an MLA. With the completion of all rounds of EVM counting, Kishor won the Bankipur assembly by-election with 64,151 votes. He stressed that his opposition was not directed at any individual but at the idea of entrusting Bihar’s leadership to “a person with a criminal background or questionable character”. We are only urging the BJP leadership to choose a capable, honest and clean person. “The people of Bankipur have simply urged the BJP leadership to appoint an honest, capable and credible Chief Minister,” he said.