Dr. Jahnavi Das, wife of Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, gave an exclusive interview to NDTV following Kishor's victory in the Bankipur Assembly by-election.
The result represents a significant political shift in Bihar, as the Jan Suraaj Party captured a seat that had been a stronghold for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for 31 years [4].
Das expressed gratitude toward the electorate and party supporters for the result. "I thank the people of Bankipur, the people of Bihar, and Jan Suraaj workers for this massive mandate," Das said.
She attributed the victory to a widespread desire for a new political direction in the region. "People wanted change," Das said.
The by-election took place on July 30, 2026 [3]. The victory comes amid public scrutiny of the couple's financial disclosures. According to official filings, Prashant Kishor declared assets totaling Rs 96 crore [1].
Financial records indicate that Dr. Das holds a higher net worth than her husband. Her declared assets are listed at Rs 102 crore [2].
The Bankipur constituency is located in Patna, Bihar. The win is being viewed as a pivotal moment for the Jan Suraaj Party as it attempts to establish a formal presence in the state's legislative landscape.
“People wanted change.”
The victory in Bankipur is more than a single seat gain; it signals a breach in the BJP's long-term dominance in urban Bihar. By successfully challenging a seat held for over three decades, Prashant Kishor has demonstrated that his Jan Suraaj movement can translate grassroots organizing into electoral success, potentially altering the power dynamics ahead of future state elections.
