Union minister explains why ‘no one should be overjoyed’ over BJP's Bankipur loss

Union minister Giriraj Singh downplayed the BJP's loss in the high-profile Bankipur Assembly bypoll in Bihar, stating the result should not be viewed as a sign of the party's future prospects in upcoming state elections. He acknowledged the results but urged people not to be overjoyed. In 2009, the NDA lost 12 out of 17 seats in by-elections under Nitish Kumar's leadership.

However, in 2010, the NDA secured 89% of contested seats in Bihar. Singh spoke to reporters about the matter. The BJP experienced a setback in the Bankipur contest, with Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party defeating BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha by over 19,000 votes, marking Kishor's electoral debut and granting his new party its first seat in the Bihar Assembly.

The victory bolstered Kishor's fledgling party. Bihar Minister and senior JD(U) leader Shrawon Kumar described the Bankipur bypoll results as "contrary to expectations" and said the ruling NDA would review the causes of its defeat. The Bankipur seat had been a BJP stronghold for over three decades since its first election in 2010.

The bypoll was triggered by the departure of senior BJP leader Nitin Nabin to the Rajya Sabha. The contest attracted national attention as it followed student protests over alleged examination irregularities that led to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Political analysts viewed the bypoll as a prelude to public sentiment ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.

Other bypolls were held in Gujarat's Manjalpur and Madhya Pradesh's Datia on July 30. The BJP retained Manjalpur but lost Datia to Congress, leaving the BJP with one win and two defeats across the three Assembly bypolls.