RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) claimed that the BJP's "crushing defeat" in the Bankipur Assembly bypoll was the result of the "negative politics" of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

Talking to reporters in Patna, Mr. Yadav, the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, said that since Mr. Choudhary became the CM, the BJP has lost two elections — the MLC poll and the Bankipur bypoll.

"CM Samrat Choudhary has totally failed to govern Bihar. Law and order has completely collapsed. The BJP's crushing defeat in Bankipur Assembly bypoll was the result of the negative politics of the CM. The BJP suffered two electoral setbacks within a short span of time. This is because of the CM and the arrogance of BJP leaders," he claimed.

Instead of focusing on development, the Chief Minister was "indulging in negative politics and harassing Opposition leaders", the RJD leader said.

"People have taught him and the BJP a lesson," Mr. Yadav said.

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor made a historic electoral debut on Monday (August 3), winning the bypoll for the prestigious Bankipur Assembly Constituency, in a big blow to the BJP, which had held the seat since 1995.

The defeat, coming days after the massive Gen Z protests across the country, was even more stinging because the seat was last held by BJP president Nitin Nabin, whose elevation to the Rajya Sabha necessitated the by-election on July 30.

Mr. Kishor, who got 64,151 votes, defeated BJP's Neeraj Kumar by 19,324. Kumar garnered 44,827 votes. Rekha Gupta of the RJD was a distant third with 14,273 votes.

"We accept the mandate of the people of Bankipur. They voted against the BJP-led NDA and the CM. People’s anger towards the BJP is clearly visible. Tell me one major constructive work the CM has done in 150 days," the RJD leader said.

Raising the issue of the recent death of Executive Officer (EO) of the Dehri-Dalmianagar Municipal Council, Vimal Kumar, Mr. Yadav alleged, "Police are not investigating the case properly, and the CM himself and the government are protecting the local MLA in the incident." He claimed that family members of the deceased official tried to meet the Chief Minister seeking a fair probe, but "the CM did not have time to meet them".

"The role of the local MLA must be probed by the police, as he is indulging in extortion activities. The government is shielding criminals," Mr. Yadav alleged.

Vimal Kumar was shot dead in Aurangabad district on August 1. The incident took place in the Barun area when Kumar was travelling from Dehri to Patna on the Son canal service road.

“I met the family members of Kumar. A case of extortion and murder must be registered against the MLA in this case. The official was the victim of extortion by the local elected representative. Why is the CM maintaining a stoic silence over the issue? I demand security for the family members of the deceased and a government job for his wife," Mr. Yadav said.

Published - August 04, 2026 06:17 pm IST