Prashant Kishor meets NCP chief Sunetra Pawar after Bihar bypoll win

Political strategist‑turned‑politician Prashant Kishor secured a surprise victory in the Bankipur assembly by‑poll in Patna, defeating the BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha. Following the win, Kishor travelled to Mumbai and met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, along with her son Parth Pawar, at the party leader’s Devgiri residence. The internal discussion focused on strengthening the NCP’s organisational structure and ensuring government development programmes reach the grassroots. It was the second meeting between Kishor and Sunetra Pawar; officials denied any move to remove NCP state president Sunil Tatkare. The BJP expressed displeasure at Kishor’s win, which challenges its stronghold in the Bankipur constituency. Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraj Party, has previously advised leaders across the political spectrum, and the meeting may influence Maharashtra’s political calculations ahead of future elections.