Rejecting suggestions that his electoral success could prompt a rethink on his decision to contest independently, Kishor said the mandate reflected the people's willingness to move beyond established political parties. You should see that the people of Bankipur have voted for us, giving up on established parties," he told reporters. Such people were in all parties – BJP, RJD, as well as the Congress," he said. Throughout the campaign, Kishor had described the bypoll as a "referendum" on the BJP-led government in Bihar. Despite Kishor's refusal to align with opposition parties, political observers believe his emphatic victory could encourage the INDIA bloc to initiate talks with him.