Prashant Kishor takes oath as Bankipur MLA in Bihar

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Monday took oath as the Bankipur MLA at the Bihar Legislative Assembly. The 53-year-old poll strategist turned politician made a historic electoral debut on August 3, winning the bypoll and defeating the BJP's Neeraj Kumar by 19,324 votes. The seat was vacated by BJP national president Nitin Nabin after his elevation to the Rajya Sabha.

Speaking to reporters, Kishor called the new role "a big responsibility" and said he would seek to follow the example of hundreds of MLAs who worked for society and the state. He said contesting from Bankipur, a BJP stronghold since 1995, was deliberate to send a message that voters should move beyond caste and religion. The Times of India reports that the by-election recorded a voter turnout of 34.24 per cent.

Kishor said his agenda was not limited to Bankipur but focused on a broader goal for Bihar. The Deccan Herald notes that Kishor had earlier said he will have no alliance with any political party.