Patna, July 15 (IANS) The Jan Suraaj Party suffered a significant political setback on Wednesday ahead of the Bankipur Assembly by-election in Bihar, with several of its prominent leaders joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

State BJP President Sanjay Saraogi formally inducted the leaders into the party in the presence of senior BJP functionaries.

The development comes at a crucial time, as Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor is himself contesting the high-profile Bankipur by-election.

Among those who switched sides were K.C. Sinha, the Jan Suraaj candidate from the Kumhrar Assembly constituency in the previous Assembly election, and Ritesh Ranjan Singh (alias Bittu Singh), who had contested from the Digha Assembly seat.

Both leaders are considered influential in their respective constituencies, making their exit a notable setback for Jan Suraaj ahead of the bypoll.

Several other leaders also joined the BJP, including Gopal Singh (former Maner Assembly candidate), Vinita Bittu Singh (former mayoral candidate), Dr Kishore Kumar, Braj Kishore Sinha, Brahmadev Manjhi, Sunil Yadav, Raju Yadav, Ranjeet Singh, Ram Babu Yadav, Shubham Singh, Mantu Rai, and Sadhu Ji.

Hundreds of their supporters also became members of the BJP during the induction programme.

Welcoming the new entrants, State BJP President Sanjay Saraogi said leaders from different political parties were joining the BJP in large numbers, inspired by the party’s ideology and the developmental initiatives of the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He claimed that opposition parties were witnessing a steady exodus of leaders and public representatives across the country, while the BJP continued to expand its organisational strength.

Saraogi expressed confidence that the new members would contribute significantly to strengthening the party at the grassroots level.

The defections are expected to influence the political dynamics of the Bankipur Assembly by-election, which has emerged as one of Bihar’s most closely watched electoral contests.

The bypoll was necessitated after former BJP MLA Nitin Nabin resigned from the Assembly following his election to the Rajya Sabha. Nabin had represented the Bankipur constituency for four consecutive terms.

Polling for the Bankipur Assembly by-election is scheduled to be held on July 30.

–IANS

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