The political scene in Bihar is heating up as Bhojpuri actor and singer Khesari Lal Yadav’s backing of Jan Suraaj candidate Prashant Kishor ahead of the Bankipur Assembly by-election has stirred reactions. I.P. Gupta, MLA from Saharsa and head of the Indian Inclusive Party (IIP), a Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) ally, has called for Khesari Lal’s expulsion from the party.
Gupta, addressing the media, expressed strong disapproval of Khesari Lal’s stance, citing it as contradictory to expected party loyalty. He highlighted RJD’s past support for Khesari Lal and criticized his campaigning for a rival party’s candidate as a breach of party discipline. Gupta, not an RJD member, plans to request Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav to take action against Khesari Lal upon his return.
The controversy stems from Khesari Lal Yadav’s recent endorsement of Prashant Kishor, the Jan Suraaj founder and Bankipur by-election contender. Describing Kishor as a competent leader, Khesari Lal urged Bankipur voters to back him, emphasizing the importance of voting for their children’s future. This development has injected a new political dynamic into the already high-profile by-election, drawing attention to the involved candidates and parties.
