Modi’s Party Loses Key India By-Election in Wake of Protests

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Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party suffered an electoral setback in a key by-election in India’s Bihar state on Monday, a first since nationwide student protests forced him to replace his education minister.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountPolitical strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, contesting his first election as founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, defeated BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar, winning the Bankipur assembly seat by over 19,000 votes, according to the Election Commission of India. The Bankipur seat has voted for the BJP four consecutive terms since 2010, and was most recently held by Nitin Nabin, the party’s president. The election was the first political test for Modi since mass student protests two weeks ago, raising questions over whether the party can retain it support among the country’s young population.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“The BJP’s usual electoral template did not work this time,” said Mujibur Rehman, a professor of politics at the New Delhi-based Jamia Millia Islamia University. “The student protests may also have had an impact, although it is too early to assess the extent of their influence.”Kishor was previously a campaign strategist who helped to steer Modi’s 2014 election victory that brought him to power. Kishor subsequently went on to advise several other political parties, including the main opposition Indian National Congress party. He launched his own political organization ahead of the Bihar state election last year, campaigning to improve education, increase jobs and fight corruption. He didn’t contest a seat in the state elections and his party failed to win a single seat.His by-election victory marks a breakthrough that could establish his party as a potential force in state politics. Kishor sought to capitalize on anti-establishment sentiment, presenting the election as an opportunity for voters to reject the state’s traditional political parties.Although by-elections are often shaped by local issues, the BJP’s loss in Bankipur is likely to bolster the opposition’s argument that the student protests have begun to alter the political mood and raise fresh questions about the ruling party’s appeal among younger voters.In the two other by-election results on Monday, the Congress party retained its seat in Datia in Madhya Pradesh state, while the BJP won the Manjalpur seat in Gujarat.In conceding defeat, Nabin said the BJP would conduct a thorough study of its loss of seats in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, and the party would go back to the people with new energy and determination to regain their trust.The setback in Bihar comes as Modi’s party prepares for a demanding election cycle in 2027, when polls to choose the local governments are due in several key states such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat. Uttar Pradesh, India’s most-populous state and the BJP’s most-important political stronghold, will be the biggest test, while the party is seeking to expand its limited presence in Punjab and retain power in Gujarat.While only three seats were at stake in the by-elections, the contests assumed national significance after weeks of student demonstrations over alleged examination irregularities culminated in the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, marking one of the biggest political climbdowns of Modi’s third term.—With assistance from Unni Krishnan.(Updates with analyst’s comment in fourth paragraph)This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.