Bankipur bypoll: Counting begins, Prashant Kishor faces first electoral test

Counting of votes for the Bankipur Assembly bypoll in Bihar began at 8 a.m. on Monday (August 3, 2026) in Patna, with all eyes on whether Jan Suraj Party founder Prashant Kishor can secure a victory in his first electoral contest. The by-election was necessitated after sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Nitin Nabin resigned from the seat in April following his election to the Rajya Sabha.

Officials confirmed that the counting process is underway under tight security arrangements. The bypoll, held on July 30, recorded a voter turnout of 34.30 per cent, a decline of more than seven percentage points compared to the 41.45 per cent turnout in the last Assembly elections. A total of 26 candidates are contesting the seat.

Mr. Nabin had won the Bankipur seat for a fifth consecutive term in November 2025, defeating Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Rekha Gupta by a margin of over 50,000 votes. The RJD has again fielded Ms. Gupta for this by-election.

Prashant Kishor, a former political strategist who launched the Jan Suraaj Party a few years ago, is making his electoral debut. The party is aiming to establish a foothold in Bihar's electoral landscape. Meanwhile, the BJP, which has held the seat continuously since 1995 when it was known as Patna West, has nominated Neeraj Kumar Sinha, a leader from its youth wing, to retain the constituency.

Political observers are closely watching this contest as a measure of Mr. Kishor's appeal beyond his career as a poll strategist. His entry into active politics has added a new dimension to the by-election, although the low voter turnout could influence the dynamics of the counting process. The seat's historical loyalty to the BJP makes the contest significant, but the final result will depend on the votes cast on July 30.

The counting process is expected to continue through the day, with trends likely to emerge in the early hours. Authorities have made arrangements for a smooth and transparent counting procedure. District administration officials are monitoring the process to ensure compliance with election norms.

This bypoll also serves as a litmus test for the Jan Suraaj Party's grassroots organisation and its ability to convert public engagement into electoral gains. For the BJP, retaining the seat is a matter of prestige given its long association with the constituency. For the RJD, a strong performance could signal a shift in urban voter sentiment in Bihar.

Separately, counting for the Manjalpur Assembly bypoll in Gujarat is also underway, but the focus of the day remains on Bankipur, where the result will be known after all rounds of counting are completed.