India, July 6 -- In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming bypoll, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Sunday announced his candidature from the prestigious Bankipur Assembly constituency in Patna, framing the contest as a referendum on the performance of the BJP-led government in Bihar.

Addressing a packed press conference amid enthusiastic party workers, Kishor urged the nearly four lakh voters of the constituency to vote for making a difference, signaling a direct appeal for public mandate beyond traditional party lines.

The Bankipur seat fell vacant after senior BJP leader Nitin Nabin, who had represented the constituency since 2006, resigned following his election to the Rajya Sabha in April this year. Th...