'Rein In the System': Prashant Kishor's Take on Bihar MLC Polls
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor says the Bihar MLC polls are a chance for voters to rein in the existing system, even if the government remains the same.
Jan Suraaj Party founder and MLA Prashant Kishor has cast a unique light on the upcoming Bihar MLC polls, suggesting that while these elections won't trigger a change in government, they offer a critical opportunity for the electorate to send a powerful message to the establishment.
Not About Power, But Accountability
Speaking to reporters in Muzaffarpur on Wednesday, Kishor was candid about the limitations and the potential of the Legislative Council elections. He clarified that this specific electoral exercise is not designed to topple the current administration or shift the leadership of the opposition.
Kishor pointed out that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is firmly entrenched and will remain so regardless of the outcome. Similarly, he noted that Tejashwi Yadav's position as the Leader of the Opposition is unlikely to be altered by these polls.
"This is not an election to form a government... This is not an election to remove anyone from the government," Kishor stated. "But this is an election where people can rein in the existing system in Bihar with their votes."
The Scope of the MLC Elections
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has scheduled biennial elections for Legislative Councils across four states: Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. These elections specifically target seats in the Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies where the terms of sitting members are ending.
In Bihar, the focus is on eight constituencies where member tenures expire on November 16. These include:
- Graduates’ Constituencies: Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut, and Kosi.
- Teachers’ Constituencies: Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut, and Saran.
Timeline and Process
The electoral machinery is already in motion, with the Model Code of Conduct having come into effect immediately in the concerned constituencies. The formal notification for these polls was issued on September 29, 2026.
The process has moved swiftly through the following stages:
- Nominations: The deadline for filing nominations was October 6.
- Scrutiny: The scrutiny of these nominations took place on October 7.
- Withdrawals: Candidates were given until October 9 to withdraw their names.
The Final Countdown: Polling for the Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies across all four states is set for October 23, with voting hours from 8 am to 4 pm. The counting of votes will follow on October 27, and the entire process is expected to be wrapped up by October 31.