CM Samrat Chaudhary’s Position at Risk if He Loses Banki Pur By-poll

The Banki Pur assembly by‑election in Bihar has taken on national significance after Jan Suraj Party chief Prashant Kishor announced his candidacy. Kishor warned that the poll would serve as a "referendum" on Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary’s rule, stating that a defeat would make it impossible for Chaudhary to continue as CM.

According to Kishor, the CM was not a traditional face in the last assembly election; he was brought in through a “back‑door” appointment. The GSP founder also labeled Chaudhary as possessing “criminal tendencies” and argued that such a leader cannot foster development in Bihar.

Kishor positioned the contest as a broader test of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s hubris, claiming the party believes it can hand out tickets indiscriminately and still win. He emphasized that his own entry into the race is motivated by a desire to reform the system, not personal ambition, and that he rejects coalition‑based politics.

The seat became open after BJP heavyweight Nitin Navin secured a Rajya Sabha seat and resigned from the state legislature. Nomination forms are available from Monday until 13 July, voting will happen on 30 July, and the results will be announced on 3 August. The BJP, which has held Banki Pur since the early 1990s, is eager to keep the constituency in its fold.