Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Sunday declared that he will enter the electoral fray from Bihar's Bankipur Assembly constituency in the upcoming by-election, calling the contest a measure of public sentiment towards the BJP-led state government.
Addressing a press conference, Kishor confirmed that he would contest the seat, which became vacant after BJP leader Nitin Nabin resigned following his election to the Rajya Sabha.
“The people of Bankipur are the richest and the most educated in Bihar. Let them vote for the best. If they feel they can repose their trust in me, I urge them to vote for me… Even as the lone MLA of my party, I shall outweigh the remaining 242 ones in the assembly," PTI quoted Kishor as saying.
Kishor also challenged the political legitimacy of the present state government, arguing that BJP leader Samrat Choudhary took over as chief minister without obtaining a fresh public mandate, as the NDA had contested the previous Bihar Assembly election under the leadership of JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar.
“The upcoming bypoll is going to be a referendum on the working of the two-month-old government of Samrat Choudhary. If the BJP wins, I will have no hesitation in conceding that they continue to enjoy public support. If we win, it shall be for them to read the writing on the wall," he said.
The former election strategist said the Jan Suraaj Party's core committee formally approved his candidature from Bankipur after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the by-election.
The nomination process is set to begin on Monday and will continue until July 13. Voting will take place on July 30, while the counting of votes is scheduled for August 3.
The BJP is yet to announce its candidate for the constituency. The RJD-Congress-Left alliance has also not named its nominee so far. Meanwhile, former minister Tej Pratap Yadav's Janshakti Janata Dal has fielded social activist Veena Manvi as its candidate.
Also Read | BJP's Rajya Sabha strength set to rise by three after likely unopposed election
