Congress Gains in Datia as Prashant Kishor Leads in Bankipur Bypolls

In Datia, Ghanshyam Singh currently holds 17,290 votes, securing a narrow 833-vote lead over BJP's Ashutosh Tiwari after the fourth round of counting. This represents a reversal from the initial rounds, where Tiwari held an early advantage of over 1,100 votes. Singh attributed his momentum to disillusioned local workers, noting that while BJP leader Narottam Mishra provided no support, internal dissent within the opposition ranks bolstered his campaign.

Simultaneously, in Bihar’s Bankipur constituency, Jan Suraaj Party candidate Prashant Kishor has pulled ahead with 11,603 votes, maintaining a 3,451-vote lead by the sixth round. Kishor, who deliberately bypassed politically safe seats to challenge the BJP in its urban bastion, has campaigned on a platform urging voters to move beyond traditional caste and religious divides. The Bankipur seat became vacant following the resignation of BJP incumbent Nitin Nabin in March 2026. These contests, part of a wider set of by-elections held on July 30 across Bihar, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, serve as a critical test for local party influence ahead of broader legislative shifts.