Bihar bypoll setback, CJP protests put BJP under pressure, say political observers

BJP Mumbai spokesperson Niranjan Shetty. Pic/By Special Arrangement

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) shook the nation with its stir, which succeeded in bringing about the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The recently concluded by-election results from Bihar, where Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor beat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha by 19,324 votes in the Bankipur Assembly seat. This has analysts stating the BJP has been shaken with questions hanging over the government and brand Modi (Prime Minister Narendra Modi).

Experts say one must look beyond a single protest or a setback and see this as widespread unhappiness with the current dispensation, with several social media posts suggesting people want "bure din" in a broadside at PM Modi's "ache din" slogan. BJP Mumbai spokesperson Niranjan Shetty speaks out on Bankipur and cockroaches and answers voices that say the party must hear the doomsday bells tolling.

Excerpts from the interview.

Post the CJP protest, we have seen BJP lose in the Bankipur bypolls...
In 2012, we witnessed how the Congress party shifted its entire vote base to Mamata Banerjee (former Bengal CM) to oust the Communists. We also saw how, during the Delhi elections, Congress shifted its votes to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to defeat the BJP. The result? Over the last 15 years, the Congress party has been left with no standing. Neither in Delhi nor in Bengal. A similar pattern was observed during the Bankipur elections.

Polling agents of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) were openly shifting their votes to the Jan Suraaj Party to defeat the BJP. Tejashwi Yadav, who styles himself as the ‘Yuvraj' (crown prince), remained absent through the election campaign, appearing only in the final two days. He did not mention his opponent even once; instead, he focused his rhetoric entirely against the BJP, PM Modi, and Bihar CM Samrat Chaudhary.

When Prashant Kishor formed the Jan Suraaj Party and undertook a ‘padyatra' (foot march), he used to speak out against Lalu Prasad Yadav (former Bihar CM). In this election, he did not utter a single word against the RJD, never once attacking Tejashwi, despite having frequently criticised him in 2024-25.

The RJD and the JSP were effectively contesting the election in unison. Such ‘silent understandings' are common in politics, and while they may not concern us directly, ultimately such tactics result in a party losing not just its political foothold but its very existence. Moreover, the outcome of the Bankipur bypoll has no connection to the Ram Mandir issue or the anti-NEET paper leak movement.

You talk about NEET, so we must remind you that the CJP protests lit a fire in young hearts and minds pan-India!
The CJP is spreading false narratives regarding India's examination system and broader youth agitation. Crowds have been artificially swelled by individuals with political motives rather than genuine, legitimate students.

Isn't this a defeat/huge setback for the BJP?
Not at all. Fundamentally, many protests take place in politics. In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest. However, these protests must be lawful and peaceful. CJP had no control over the alleged supporters who caused violence. Nothing is achieved through such uncontrolled protests.

Is the BJP losing its hold on youth?
Not at all. The younger generation has made a significant contribution to electing BJP governments at the Centre and in many states. People have consistently rejected every movement associated with the ‘tukde-tukde gang' and those who chant slogans like ‘Bharat tere tukde honge' (India, you will be torn into pieces).