Bankipur bypoll: BJP engaging Jeevika Didis to mobilise voters, says Prashant Kishor

Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor on Sunday (July 26, 2026) accused BJP’s Jeevika Didis of mobilizing voters for Bankipur Assembly pre-election polls and warned of a sit-in protest in front of the poll body’s office if action is not taken in this regard.

In Bihar, ‘Jeevika Didi’ refers to female members of a state government initiative aimed at social and economic empowerment of rural women through self-help groups.

The political strategist-turned-politician, who is trying to capture the BJP stronghold vacated by fifth-term MLA Nitin Nabin, has requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to declare that no woman associated with Jeevika or any other quasi-government organization can take part in poll-related activities.

Speaking to reporters in Patna, Mr. Kishor said, “BJP is appointing Jeevika Didis to mobilize the voters in the Bankipur Assembly bypoll. We have already raised the issue with the ECI. Our party delegation will also meet the observer of the poll panel on Sunday, July 26, 2026. We are giving 24 hours to the EC to take action in this regard.”

“If the EC does not take action, my party leaders and I will stage a sit-in protest in front of the EC office here from Monday,” he said.

Mr. Kishor stated that the Patna District administration had shared on its official X account that Jeevika Didis had created awareness among people about voting rights.

But he claimed that Jeevika Didis, who was actually partly paid by the government, had persuaded voters to vote for the BJP in the Bankipur Assembly bypoll.

“Beneficiaries of the government’s welfare schemes are being threatened by Jeevika Didis. They are being told that if they do not vote for the BJP, the benefits they receive under the government’s welfare schemes will be stopped.

“This is unconstitutional and illegal. BJP should stop this and EC should take action on this,” Mr. Kishor said.

Pointing his guns at the BJP, Jan Suraaj Party founder said, “People want change now. This time, they will teach the BJP a lesson in its own castle. No power can resist the power of the people.”

“BJP will lose the Bankipur seat. They were boasting that they can win Bankipur even if they field a dog or a cat. People have decided to punish the party for this minor incident”.

The election will be held on July 30 and the results will be announced on August 3.