Bankipur bypoll: BJP engaging Jeevika Didis to mobilise voters, says Prashant Kishor
Prashant Kishor has accused the BJP of using government-funded 'Jeevika Didis' to influence voters in the Bankipur bypoll. He has threatened a protest if the Election Commission does not intervene to stop this alleged misuse of state resources.
Why it matters
Allegations of using state-sponsored social groups for political campaigning raise significant questions about election integrity and the neutrality of government initiatives.
Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor on Sunday (July 26, 2026) accused the BJP of engaging Jeevika Didis to mobilise voters for the Bankipur Assembly bypoll and warned of a sit-in outside the poll panel's office if it does not take action in the matter.
In Bihar, 'Jeevika Didi' refers to women members of a state government initiative aimed at the social and economic empowerment of rural women through self-help groups.
The political strategist-turned politician, who is seeking to wrest the BJP bastion vacated by fifth-term MLA Nitin Nabin, demanded the Election Commission of India (ECI) declare that no woman associated with Jeevika, or any other semi-government organisation, can participate in poll-related activities.
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