Prashant Kishor rejects TMC‑Congress merger talks and eyes Bankipur by‑poll

Strategist Prashant Kishor dismissed speculation that West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) will merge with the Indian National Congress, saying “I don’t think that will ever happen.” He argued that political parties are built over years and that mergers are rare, citing TMC’s recent complacency and the BJP’s preparedness as reasons the merger is unlikely in the next decade.

Kishor also hinted he may contest the upcoming Bankipur assembly by‑poll in Patna, Bihar, describing it as a test of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary’s leadership and the new NDA government. He said the seat has been a BJP stronghold for 40‑45 years and that he would run if his party, Jan Suraaj Party, decides to field him. The by‑poll, he added, would reflect public opinion on the BJP‑led state government, and he sees it as an opportunity to challenge the BJP’s fortress after his party’s 3.4% vote share and zero seats in the previous Bihar election.