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 the BJP of engaging Jeevika Didis to mobilise voters for the Bankipur Assembly bypoll and warned of a sit-in outside the poll panel’s office if it does not take action in the matter.

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

The political strategist-turned politician, who is seeking to wrest the BJP bastion vacated by fifth-term MLA Nitin Nabin, demanded the Election Commission of India (ECI) declare that no woman associated with Jeevika, or any other semi-government organisation, can participate in poll-related activities.

Talking to reporters in Patna, Mr. Kishor said, “The BJP is engaging Jeevika Didis to mobilise voters in the Bankipur Assembly bypoll. We have already raised the issue with the ECI. Our party delegation will also meet the poll panel’s observer on Sunday (July 26, 2026). We are giving the EC 24 hours to take action in this matter.”

“If the EC does not act, my party leaders and I will stage a sit-in protest outside its office here from Monday,” he said.

Mr. Kishor pointed out that the Patna District administration had posted on its official X account that Jeevika Didis were creating awareness among people about their voting rights.

But actually, Jeevika Didis, who are partially paid by the government, are persuading voters to vote for the BJP in the Bankipur Assembly bypoll, he alleged.

“Beneficiaries of government 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 government welfare schemes will be stopped.

“This is unconstitutional and illegal. The BJP must stop this, and the EC must take action in this regard,” Mr. Kishor said.

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

“The BJP will lose the Bankipur seat. They used to brag that they can win Bankipur even if they fielded a dog or a cat. The people have decided to punish the party for the slight”.

The bypoll will be held on July 30, and the result will be out on August 3.