E-Paper
'BJP lost even its president's seat': Kejriwal on Prashant Kishor's big debut win in Bihar's Bankipur
The AAP chief claimed Prashant Kishor's win showed growing public anger against the Narendra Modi-led government over several issues.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday congratulated Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on his debut victory in Bihar's Bankipur Assembly bypoll. The former Delhi chief minister called it another major setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and claimed the electorate now showed their desire for change. Track the Bankipur bypoll results here
On X, Kejriwal said the BJP lost even the seat represented by its national president, Nitin Nabin, and congratulated Kishor on his win.
"The BJP has lost even the seat of its national president. Prashant Kishor ji has won from Bankipur with a huge margin. Heartiest congratulations to him," Kejriwal wrote.
Election Commission data show Kishor having won with 64,151 votes, 19,324 ahead of BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha.
"The BJP's ground has completely slipped away. Fund theft, paper leaks, E20... There is deep discontent among the people towards the Modi government. The arrogance is breaking down. The people of the country have given a signal of change," he said.
READ ALSO | PK breaches BJP fort: Prashant Kishor set to be MLA from Bihar's Bankipur on debut
Bihar CM concendes
Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary congratulated Kishor on his victory, saying he respected the people's verdict.
"In the grand festival of democracy, the people have chosen Jan Suraaj in the Bankipur Assembly by-election. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Shri Prashant Kishor ji on his victory, while respecting the people's decision," Choudhary said in a post on X.
The ‘President’ context
The Bankipur bypoll was necessitated after BJP leader Nitin Nabin vacated the seat following his election to the Rajya Sabha and appointment as the party's national president.
Bankipur had been a BJP bastion for over three decades. It was represented by Nabin and earlier by his father, Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha.
What Prashant Kishor said after big win
After the win, Kishor said his doors would remain open not just for the people of Bankipur but for anyone across Bihar seeking Jan Suraaj's help. He said his party had been raising the concerns of people even before entering the Assembly and would do so with greater strength as an MLA.
He told reporters, “While our voice is currently that of a single MLA but we were raising the concerns of those suffering under the prevailing system across Bihar even before holding this office.”
ALSO READ | 'Bankipur won't become Bengaluru overnight': Prashant Kishor after big win in Bihar
“We will continue to do so with even greater strength. Regarding today's victory, for all the young people aspiring to enter politics, those who believe the shackles of caste in Bihar cannot be broken or that politics here cannot transcend the two dominant streams, the result in Bankipur will serve as a powerful eye opener,” Kishor said.
Kejriwal's E20 march
Kejriwal's remarks came after he declared he would lead a march to the Prime Minister's residence on August 4 to submit an online petition signed by over two lakh people opposing the rollout of E20 petrol. Speaking at the National Townhall Against E20 in New Delhi, Kejriwal said he would be accompanied by only 100 volunteers "who are not afraid of police lathis or going to jail."
He also challenged the Centre to hold a public discussion on E20, saying both sides should present evidence on its safety. Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra rejected the allegations and challenged Kejriwal to produce 100 vehicles that had suffered engine damage due to E20 fuel.
