Voters in the Bankipur Assembly bypoll found Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar on the EVM, but they were not Bihar's veteran leaders. Their namesakes, contesting as independents, failed to cross the 150-vote mark and lost their deposits.

While the spotlight was on Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor breaching the BJP bastion with 64,151 votes, Independent candidate Lalu Prasad Yadav could garner just 81, a vote share of 0.06 per cent.

Another Independent candidate, Nitish Kumar, fared a bit better with 149 votes, which amounted to 0.11 per cent of the total votes polled.

Both lost their security deposits as the Election Commission regulations stipulate that candidates failing to secure a minimum of one-sixth of the total valid votes polled would have their deposits redirected to the treasury.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin issued an official statement following the conclusion of the assembly by-elections, accepting the public mandate across the three states. 

Nabin said, "We express our heartfelt gratitude to the people of Manjalpur assembly constituency in Gujarat for expressing their faith in the Bharatiya Janata Party. We extend our warm congratulations to all the dedicated workers and office-bearers of the BJP for this victory."

"In Bapni Pur and Datia, we did not receive the expected mandate. We will conduct a thorough introspection of the election results in both these areas with complete seriousness, and with renewed energy and determination, we will continue to go among the people and work tirelessly to further strengthen their trust," the BJP chief added.

DMK president M K Stalin on Monday congratulated Jan Suraaj party chief Prashant Kishor following his resounding victory in the Bankipur Assembly by-poll in Bihar.

Taking to 'X', Stalin said, “Congratulations to #JanSuraaj founder Thiru. @PrashantKishor on his resounding win in the #Bankipur bypoll, marking @JanSuraajOnline's first electoral victory." "Wishing him success in serving the people of the Bankipur constituency and the state of Bihar," the former chief minister added.

Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor has officially received his victory certificate for the Bankipur assembly constituency. Final figures confirm a resounding win for the debutant, who secured a total of 64,151 votes. Kishor defeated his closest rival, BJP candidate Neeraj Sinha, by a decisive margin of 19,324 votes. Sinha finished in second place with 44,827 votes.

"We are all very happy... This was a very tough seat, due to which this victory makes it even more special and brings us greater happiness," Prashant Kishor's wife said. Jahnavi Das also extended her deep gratitude to the electorate, adding, "I sincerely thank the people of Bankipur and the people of Bihar for giving me this great victory. I will always remain grateful to all of them."

In 3 months, you will see a visible change in Bankipur. But for that, you will have to give me 3 months, says Prashant Kishor.

लोकतंत्र के महापर्व में बांकीपुर विधानसभा उपचुनाव में जनता ने जनसुराज को चुना है।
मैं जनता के इस निर्णय का सम्मान करते हुए श्री प्रशांत किशोर जी को उनकी जीत पर हार्दिक बधाई देता हूँ।

— Samrat Choudhary (@samrat4bjp) August 3, 2026

Prashant Kishor used to help others win elections. Now he has won one himself. That too, in a BJP stronghold in a BJP-ruled state, in a seat represented by BJP chief Nitin Nabin over several terms. A former poll strategist who now heads the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), Kishor has become the newest MLA from Bankipur in Bihar.

Congress veteran Ghanshyam Singh defeats the BJP in its prestige battle in Datia bypoll.

As Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor inches closer to victory in the Bankipur assembly by-election, Bihar State Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha stated that the BJP fully respects the people's verdict. Sinha said, "Unlike the opposition, we do not blame the Election Commission or the EVMs. We believe in democracy, respect constitutional institutions, and accept the people's verdict." He added that the party will thoroughly review the results to identify their mistakes.

#WATCH | Patna | On Prashant Kishor inching towards victory in the Bankipur Assembly election, State Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha says, "This is the land of democracy, and we respect the people's mandate. The Bharatiya Janata Party has always stood by democratic values. Unlike the… pic.twitter.com/2d73cpXiS3

— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2026

Jan Suraaj Party leader Prashant Kishor is extending his lead in the Bankipur election after the 28th round of counting. He is now ahead by 19,419 votes, bringing his total to 59,213 votes. BJP’s Neeraj Sinha is in second place with 39,794 votes, while RJD’s Rekha Kumari is third with 13,260 votes.

As he maintains a decisive lead, Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor said that his immediate priority is to honour the voters' trust and bring visible improvements to Bankipur within the next two to three months. Refusing to make grand promises, Kishor said, "My becoming an MLA will not transform Bankipur into Bengaluru overnight. But you will certainly see some improvements here." He added that elections come and go, but what truly matters is Bihar's overall development and progress.

#WATCH | Patna | As he continues his lead in the Bankipur bypoll, Jan Suraaj Chief Prashant Kishor says, "Our first priority after this victory is to honour the blessings and trust that the people of Bankipur have placed in us. We will do everything we can to improve Bankipur.… pic.twitter.com/eNTKiSeIUI

— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2026

Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor has further widened his margin in the Bankipur assembly by-election following the 25th round of counting. Kishor is now leading by a comfortable margin of 14,953 votes, having secured a total of 50,976 votes. Meanwhile, BJP's Neeraj Sinha stands in second place with 36,023 votes, and RJD's Rekha Kumari remains a distant third with 11,515 votes.

The counting for the Datia assembly by-election has reached the 14th round, with the Congress candidate maintaining an upper hand. Congress's Ghanshyam Singh currently leads the race by a total of 7,544 votes, even as the margin saw a slight dip in the latest round. So far, Singh has secured 3,100 votes in this round, while BJP's Ashutosh Tiwari followed with 6,614 votes.

#WATCH | Patna | As Jan Suraaj, chief Prashant Kishor continues his lead in the Bankipur bypoll
Wife of Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor, Dr. Jahnavi Das, says, "I thank the public of Bankipur and Bihar...I am very happy" pic.twitter.com/sM6S1T0bMJ

— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2026

The BJP has successfully retained the Manjalpur assembly seat in Gujarat. BJP candidate Satish Patel emerged victorious, defeating his Congress rival Bhikhabhai Rabari by a convincing margin of over 30,000 votes.

Following the 23rd round of counting in the Bankipur assembly by-election, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor has extended his lead to 13,269 votes over his closest rival. Kishor has secured 46,377 votes so far, while BJP's Neeraj Sinha follows in second place with 33,108 votes, and RJD's Rekha Kumari trails further behind in third place with 10,925 votes.

#WATCH | Bihar | Jan Suraaj workers in Patna celebrate as Prashant Kishor continues to lead in Bankipur bypoll
Bankipur bypoll counting update- Round 22 of 31: Jan Suraaj, chief Prashant Kishor, has widened his lead to 12,809 votes over the BJP candidate. pic.twitter.com/xWJZE991aH

— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2026

Jan Suraaj Party candidate Prashant Kishor on Monday widened his lead over BJP's Neeraj Kumar Sinha to 11,289 votes in the Bankipur assembly by-election in Bihar as the counting crossed the halfway mark, officials said.

Celebrations broke out at the Jan Suraaj Party headquarters and outside the counting centre at AN College here, with supporters dancing to the tunes of local songs and distributing sweets.

While political strategist-turned-politician Kishor bagged 38,201 votes, Sinha got 26,912 votes and RJD's Rekha Kumari stood third with 9,795 votes after 19 rounds of counting. A total of 31 rounds of counting will be held.

The counting of votes for the bypoll began at 8 am here on Monday, with all eyes on whether debutant Kishor wrests the seat from the BJP.

Bihar bypoll counting trends showed Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor taking the lead of 10,436 votes over BJP's Neeraj Kumar. Kishor secured 35,713 votes, while Kumar polled 25,277 votes. RJD candidate Rekha Kumari trailed with 9,316 votes.

On the other hand, BJP candidate Satish Patel is leading by 30,567 votes over Congress rival Bhikhabhai Rabari in Gujarat's Manjalpur. According to the latest trends, Patel had secured 55,244 votes, compared to Rabari's 24,677 votes.

In Madhya Pradesh's Datia, BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari is trailing with 6,583 votes. He secured 31,681 while his Congress rival Ghanshyam Singh is ahead and garnered 38,264 votes.

#WATCH | Patna | On Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor leading in Bankipur bypoll, party's Bihar unit president Manoj Bharti says, "We congratulate and also thank the people of Bankipur for choosing change, Prashant ji and Jan Suraaj. Across the lines, Prashant ji has received… pic.twitter.com/isVaChnvKQ

— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2026

Bihar bypoll counting trends showed Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor taking the lead of 7,781 votes over BJP's Neeraj Kumar. Kishor secured 28,201 votes, while Kumar polled 20,420 votes. RJD candidate Rekha Kumari trailed with 6,142 votes.

On the other hand, BJP candidate Satish Patel is leading by 27,448 votes over Congress rival Bhikhabhai Rabari in Gujarat's Manjalpur. According to the latest trends, Patel had secured 49,631 votes, compared to Rabari's 22,183 votes.

In Madhya Pradesh's Datia, BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari is trailing with 3,295 votes. He secured 28,141 while his Congress rival Ghanshyam Singh is ahead and garnered 31,436 votes.

BJP candidate Satish Govindbhai Patel widened his lead to more than 27,448 votes over his Congress rival after 12 of 19 rounds of counting in the Manjalpur assembly bypolls in Gujarat on Monday, officials said.

According to election officials, Patel secured 49,631 votes at the end of 17 rounds, while his nearest rival, Congress candidate and former minister Bhikhabhai Rabari, polled 22,183 votes.

Counting of votes began at 8 am at Bhavan's School in the Makarpura area of Vadodara under tight security.

The bypoll, held on July 30, recorded a voter turnout of 37.5 per cent.

Bihar bypoll counting trends showed Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor taking the lead of 6,011 votes over BJP's Neeraj Kumar. Kishor secured 20,059 votes, while Kumar polled 14,048 votes. RJD candidate Rekha Kumari trailed with 3,983 votes.

On the other hand, BJP candidate Satish Patel is leading by 19,368 votes over Congress rival Bhikhabhai Rabari in Gujarat's Manjalpur. According to the latest trends, Patel had secured 34,345 votes, compared to Rabari's 14,977 votes.

In Madhya Pradesh's Datia, BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari is trailing with 1786 votes. He secured 24,070 while his Congress rival Ghanshyam Singh is ahead and garnered 25,856 votes.

Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh took a narrow lead of 833 votes over BJP's Ashutosh Tiwari after the third round of counting on Monday for the Datia assembly bypoll in Madhya Pradesh, officials said.

In the previous rounds, Tiwari was ahead of Singh.

After the completion of the third of 15 rounds of counting, Singh secured 17,290 votes, while Tiwari bagged 16,457 votes, the officials said.

The counting of votes commenced at 8 am at the Polytechnic College under tight security.

The bypoll was necessitated after a Delhi court in April this year sentenced Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti to three years' imprisonment in a cheating case, leading to the termination of his assembly membership.

As counting of votes for the Bankipur Assembly bye-election got underway on Monday, Janata Dal (United) National Spokesperson, Rajiv Ranjan, expressed confidence that BJP-led NDA candidate Neeraj Sinha would secure a historic victory.

Speaking to IANS, Ranjan said, "The BJP-led NDA candidate Neeraj Sinha is certain to win by a historic margin. Whether it is Prashant Kishor or any other candidate contesting the election, all political campaigning and rhetoric are now over. They should wait for the results. We believe that whenever people vote on the basis of development, the NDA benefits from it."

Highlighting the NDA government's development work in the constituency, he credited Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for transforming Bankipur into a prominent part of the state capital.

"The way Bankipur has developed under the leadership of Nitish Kumar has made it an important part of Patna. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has also contributed significantly to its growth. There should be no doubt that people are witnessing development and will vote accordingly," he told IANS.

(IANS)

In Madhya Pradesh's Datia, BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari is leading with 875 votes. 

He secured 8,253 votes while his Congress rival Ghanshyam Singh garnered 7,378 votes.

BJP candidate Satish Patel opened up a commanding lead of 12,401 votes over Congress rival Bhikhabhai Rabari in Gujarat's Manjalpur. 

According to the latest trends, Patel had secured 21,216 votes, compared to Rabari's 8,815 votes.

Bihar bypoll counting trends showed Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor taking an early lead of 1,145 votes over BJP's Neeraj Kumar. 

Kishor secured 6,269 votes, while Kumar polled 5,124 votes. RJD candidate Rekha Kumari trailed with 884 votes.

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: Jan Suraaj Party workers gather at the camp office following the vote counts, raise slogans in support of Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor during the Bankipur Assembly by-election results. pic.twitter.com/Nct0BtzuIo

— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2026

Bihar bypoll counting trends showed Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor taking an early lead of 1,162 votes over BJP's Neeraj Kumar. Kishor secured 5,032 votes, while Kumar polled 3,870 votes. RJD candidate Rekha Kumari trailed with 767 votes.

On the other hand, BJP candidate Satish Patel opened up a commanding lead of 11,436 votes over Congress rival Bhikhabhai Rabari. According to the latest trends, Patel had secured 19,153 votes, compared to Rabari's 7,717 votes.

In Madhya Pradesh's Datia also, BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari is leading with 875 votes. He secured 8,253 votes while his Congress rival Ghanshyam Singh garnered 7,378 votes.

#WATCH | Bihar | BJP workers in Patna are preparing several kilograms of Ladoos, anticipating the victory of Neeraj Sinha, the party's Bankipur bypoll candidate pic.twitter.com/Q7nXtrvgyK

— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2026

#BREAKING | Bypoll Results: Jan Suraaj Party's Prashant Kishor leads in Bihar's Bankipur
NDTV's @journal_raman brings you the latest details pic.twitter.com/0xZCZbiDEP

— NDTV (@ndtv) August 3, 2026

BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari has taken an early lead of 1,184 votes over Congress rival Ghanshyam Singh in the counting of votes. According to the latest trends, Tiwari has secured 4,551 votes so far, while Singh has polled 3,367 votes. 

Bihar bypoll counting trends showed Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor taking an early lead of 862 votes over BJP's Neeraj Kumar. Kishor secured 2,225 votes, while Kumar polled 1,363 votes. RJD candidate Rekha Kumari trailed with 505 votes.

On the other hand, BJP candidate Satish Patel opened up a commanding lead of 5,910 votes over Congress rival Bhikhabhai Rabari. According to the latest trends, Patel had secured 9,345 votes, compared to Rabari's 3,435 votes.

Debutant Prashant Kishor of Jan Suraaj Party is leading in Bihar's Bankipur.

BJP candidate Satish Patel has taken an early lead of 3,519 votes over Congress rival Bhikhabhai Rabari in the counting of votes. According to the latest trends, Patel has secured 6,287 votes so far, while Rabari has polled 2,768 votes. 

#WATCH | Datia, Madhya Pradesh: Visuals from the counting centre on the counting day for the Datia Assembly seat by-election. Heavy security force deployed at the centre. pic.twitter.com/qEYo6WwLOC

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) August 3, 2026

#WATCH | Datia, Madhya Pradesh: SP Mayur Khandelwal says, "Today is a crucial day, and a comprehensive three-layer security arrangement is in place—covering the inner, middle, and outer perimeters. Adequate parking arrangements have also been made. We are ensuring that no… https://t.co/xEVBccX5rv pic.twitter.com/ploKnTQSn7

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) August 3, 2026

#WATCH | Datia, Madhya Pradesh: BJP district president Raghuveer Sharan Kushwaha says, "It is the day of vote counting, and we are fully prepared and have arrived at the counting venue... There is no doubt that the results will be positive... The Congress party is in a state of… https://t.co/vYMjathLMf pic.twitter.com/M6wC5RwMHo

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) August 3, 2026

#WATCH | Datia, Madhya Pradesh: BJP candidate from Datia Ashutosh Tiwari says, "Everyone's blessings are with the BJP; we have received immense support from all. The voters have extended their blessings to the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh—led by CM Mohan Yadav—based on the… https://t.co/vYMjathLMf pic.twitter.com/vujI4ME0mt

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) August 3, 2026

VIDEO | Bihar: Tight security arrangements in place ahead of counting of votes for the Bankipur Assembly by-poll. Visuals from A.N. College counting centre, Patna.
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/H39bS6OYdf

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 3, 2026

Datia, Madhya Pradesh: Vote counting for the Datia by-election is underway amid tight security at the Polytechnic College, with the constituency set to elect its new MLA today pic.twitter.com/alB6hoKS7e

— IANS (@ians_india) August 3, 2026

#WATCH | Datia, Madhya Pradesh: On the counting day for the Datia Assembly by-election, Collector Swapnil Wankhede says, "Arrangements are in place. Counting will take place across 20 tables—organized into two rounds of 10 tables each—and separate tables have been set up for… pic.twitter.com/qUmulppooo

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) August 3, 2026

Counting of votes for the by-election to the Manjalpur assembly seat in Gujarat's Vadodara city began on Monday morning amid tight security, officials said.

The bypoll, held on July 30, recorded a voter turnout of 37.5 per cent. The election was necessitated due to the death of senior BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Yogesh Patel on June 2 following a prolonged illness.

The counting exercise commenced at 8 am on Bhavan's School premises in the Makarpura area as per Election Commission guidelines, with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) being taken up for counting under multi-layered security arrangements.

The by-election witnessed a direct contest between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress.

The BJP fielded former Vadodara Municipal Corporation councillor Satish Govindbhai Patel, while the Congress nominated its Gujarat vice president and former minister Bhikhabhai Rabari.

Polling was conducted at 260 polling stations across 62 locations and passed off peacefully without any untoward incident.

The constituency had recorded a voter turnout of 60.15 per cent in the 2022 Gujarat assembly elections.

Yogesh Patel, an eight-term BJP legislator, represented the Raopura assembly constituency in Vadodara five times between 1990 and 2007 before shifting to the newly created Manjalpur seat after delimitation.

He won the Manjalpur seat in 2012, 2017 and 2022, completing eight consecutive victories in the Gujarat assembly over a span of 36 years. 

(PTI)

Counting of votes for the Bankipur assembly bypoll in Bihar began at 8 am here on Monday, with all eyes on whether debutant Prashant Kishor of Jan Suraaj Party wrests the seat from the BJP.

The by-election was necessitated following the resignation of BJP national president Nitin Nabin, who gave up the seat in April upon election to the Rajya Sabha.

"The counting of votes for the Bankipur by-election began amid tight security arrangements," an official said.

The bypoll, held on July 30, recorded a voter turnout of 34.30 per cent, down by more than seven per cent from the 41.45 per cent registered in the last assembly elections.

A total of 26 candidates are in the fray this time.

Nabin had won the assembly seat for the fifth consecutive time in November 2025, defeating nearest rival Rekha Gupta of the RJD by over 50,000 votes.

The RJD again nominated Gupta for the by-election.

Prashant Kishor, a former poll strategist who launched the Jan Suraaj Party a few years ago, is contesting his first election, while the BJP, which has never lost the assembly segment since 1995 when it was known as Patna West, has fielded low-key youth wing leader Neeraj Kumar Sinha.

(PTI)

Bankipur by-election vote counting to begin at 8 am today
NDTV's @journal_raman brings you this report pic.twitter.com/mtORfGaTrY

— NDTV (@ndtv) August 3, 2026

The nondescript Bankipur bypoll in Bihar is now making national headlines. Two factors have made the bypoll interesting -- Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor throwing his hat into the ring and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigning in the wake of the Gen Z protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. 

While poll pundits wait to discern the impact of these developments on the BJP's political influence in the state, the party's national president, Nitin Nabin, is unfazed.

The outcome of the Datia assembly bypoll in Madhya Pradesh may not alter the stability of the BJP government in the state, but political observers believe it carries wider implications, coming against the backdrop of recent student protests and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

According to analysts, the closely watched result, slated for Monday, could significantly shape the political standing of both the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress in the state ahead of the 2028 assembly elections.

Political analyst and author Rashid Kidwai noted that the Datia contest had become a prestige battle for both the BJP and the Congress because it was held in the backdrop of students' unrest and Pradhan's resignation.

"If the result does not go in the BJP's favour, it could trigger wider political repercussions at the national level," Kidwai told PTI.

Kidwai said that the Datia contest was equally crucial for the Congress, as the Opposition party is seeking to retain the seat it won in the 2023 assembly elections.

"If the Congress wins, it will try to project the verdict as an expression of youth anger and claim that the political tide has started to turn against the BJP," he said.

Kidwai further pointed out that the bypoll carried significance for former state home minister Narottam Mishra, who was denied a ticket by the saffron party.

"If the BJP loses, Mishra's role and political future are likely to come under scrutiny," he said.

Talking to PTI, senior journalist Suresh Mehrotra said that a victory for the Congress will further strengthen state party chief Jitu Patwari within the organisation, while a BJP win will reinforce Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's position, but a defeat could embolden his detractors within the party.

(PTI)

Counting of votes for the Datia Assembly by-election will begin at 8 am on Monday after polling recorded a turnout of 71.44% on July 30.

The contest is mainly between BJP's Ashutosh Tiwari and Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh, though 21 candidates, including Azad Samaj Party's Damodar Singh Yadav, are in the fray. The bypoll is also seen as the first electoral test for newly appointed BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal.

The seat fell vacant after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti lost his Assembly membership following a Delhi court's conviction order in a cheating case. The BJP did not field former state home minister Narottam Mishra, who had lost the seat to Bharti in the 2023 Assembly elections.

In the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly, the BJP has 164 MLAs, the Congress 64 and the Bharat Adivasi Party.

The counting of votes for the Bankipur Assembly by-election will begin at 8 am on Monday, with the fate of 25 candidates set to be decided.

Preparations have been completed at Kala Bhawan in AN College, Patna, where votes from 422 polling stations will be counted over 30 rounds. Postal ballots will be counted first, followed by EVM votes.

Officials said the counting centre is under tight security, with EVMs kept in a strong room under three-layer protection and CCTV surveillance. Central paramilitary forces and Bihar Special Armed Police personnel have been deployed at the venue.

Initial trends are expected around noon, while the final result is likely by late afternoon. Only authorised personnel, candidates and their representatives carrying QR code-based passes will be allowed entry.