Leaders from Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Bankipur Assembly by-election in Bihar. Multiple reports say several Jan Suraaj figures join BJP before the July 30 vote, which is being held following the resignation of Nitin Nabin from the seat. The by-election is described as a direct contest involving Prashant Kishor’s camp, with Kishor contesting the election as well as being linked to the BJP opponent Neeraj Kumar Sinha, according to one account.
Sources also note that some of the new BJP members include candidates Jan Suraaj had fielded in the 2025 Assembly elections. In statements reported by outlets, the defectors express support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and for the BJP’s focus on national development. The development is widely framed as a setback for Jan Suraaj close to the bypoll, given the party’s effort to mobilize support ahead of the election.
