Khesari Lal's Surprise Backing for Prashant Kishor Triggers RJD Row

Brief By Newsbrief / 7:12 PM on 20 Jul 2026

Bhojpuri actor and former RJD candidate Khesari Lal Yadav has triggered a political controversy by openly backing Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor in the upcoming Bankipur Assembly by-election, despite the RJD fielding Rekha Gupta as the Mahagathbandhan candidate. Praising Prashant Kishor as an educated leader with a clear vision for Bihar's development, Khesari said the Assembly needs representatives who can effectively raise issues of employment and public welfare. His endorsement drew sharp criticism from IIP legislator IP Gupta, who demanded that RJD expel Khesari for supporting a rival candidate, calling it a violation of alliance discipline. Political observers believe the Bhojpuri star's popularity among young and Bhojpuri-speaking voters could influence public perception during the campaign. The Bankipur by-election is scheduled for July 30, with BJP's Neeraj Sinha, RJD's Rekha Gupta and Jan Suraaj's Prashant Kishor locked in a closely watched three-cornered contest.