Prashant Kishore (file photo)

New Delhi: Jan Suraj Party (JSP) chief Prashant Kishore The bypoll to Bihar’s Bankipur assembly seat on Saturday was termed a “referendum” on the promises made by the BJP during last November’s assembly elections, as the state now has its first chief minister from the saffron party.In April, BJP leader Samrat Chaudhary became the chief minister, succeeding party ally Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar. Kumar, who served in the top post for more than two decades, has moved to the Rajya Sabha along with BJP chief Nitin Nabin, a former representative of the Bankipur constituency – a fact highlighted by Kishor.After being appointed national president of BJP, Nabin went to the Upper House.The date of Bankipur assembly by-election has not been announced yet.“Bankipur is the seat of the BJP national president. For the last 40 years, no party or leader has succeeded in defeating the BJP there,” Kishor told reporters in Patna.He said, “The (BJP-led) NDA won by giving Rs 10,000 to the people of the state and misleading them with false promises. For the first time, someone from the BJP is the chief minister. Therefore, the bypoll will effectively serve as a referendum on the promises made in November 2025. The public will have the right to vote on those promises – be it the promise of giving Rs 2 lakh, the promise to stop migration from Bihar, or the education system.” And there should be a commitment to improving employment.” opportunity.“The former election strategist further said that this is why JSP should contest the elections in Bankipur with “full strength”.JSP, launched by Kishor, made its electoral debut in the Bihar assembly elections in October 2024. However, it did not win any seats despite contesting 238 out of 243 constituencies.