India, July 5 -- Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor will make his electoral debut by contesting the July 30 Bankipur assembly bypoll in Bihar, with his Jan Suraaj Party on Sunday formally announcing him as its candidate for the high-profile contest in one of the BJP's traditional strongholds.

The decision was announced by Jan Suraaj state president Manoj Bharti after a meeting of the party's core committee. Polling for the by-election will be held on July 30 and votes counted on August 3. The last date for filing nominations is July 13.

The Bankipur seat fell vacant after BJP president Nitin Nabin was elected to the Rajya Sabha. The BJP is yet to announce its candidate, though leaders such as Ajay Alok, Neel Ratan Gho...