Patna: The streets of Bankipur turned into a sea of colours, music and slogans on Monday as Jan Suraaj supporters celebrated Prashant Kishor’s victory in the assembly bypoll. Since morning, crowds gathered outside the Jan Suraaj office, dancing to DJ music, throwing ‘gulaal’ and waving the party’s yellow ‘gamcha’ as a symbol of the victory.Firecrackers, sweets and drum beats marked the celebrations, with workers raising slogans of “Prashant ji zindabad” through the afternoon.In contrast, the BJP and RJD offices witnessed little activity. Both party headquarters remained largely quiet, with gates mostly shut and no celebrations visible. Police personnel were deployed as a precaution, but party workers were largely absent.The celebrations at the Jan Suraaj office began early, with hundreds of supporters gathering outside the party office. Workers danced, distributed sweets and raised slogans of “Prashant ji zindabad” and “Jai Bihar”.“It feels like Diwali came early to Bankipur. We have been going door to door for months. This win is for people who wanted a change. The yellow ‘gamcha’ has become a symbol of this victory,” said Ravi Kumar, a Jan Suraaj worker from Kadamkuan.Anita Devi, a local shopkeeper who watched the procession from her shop, said, “I have seen many elections, but I have never seen this kind of energy from a new party. Children were dancing and elders were distributing laddoos. It felt like a fair.”Standing on the roof of a vehicle, Kishor greeted supporters lining both sides of the road. Supporters raised slogans, clicked selfies and recorded videos as the convoy moved through Bankipur.“We didn’t just win a seat; we won people’s trust. People believe something new can happen in Bihar,” said Sanjay Singh, a youth volunteer.A woman voter outside the counting centre welcomed the result, saying, “I voted for change. I hope this new politics lives up to our expectations.” People around her applauded.Meanwhile, the scene was different at the BJP and RJD offices on Birchand Patel Path. A constable deployed outside the BJP office said, “We were told to remain alert since morning, but no party workers have come.”At the RJD office too, a few security personnel were present near barricades while the premises remained largely vacant.
