BJP bids to stave off JSP, RJD challenge as campaigning ends for Bankipur byelection

Campaigning for the July 30 Bankipur Assembly byelection in Bihar came to a close on Tuesday, with candidates making a final push to secure the seat vacated by BJP national president Nitin Nabin following his election to the Rajya Sabha in April.

The BJP is making an all-out effort to retain the seat and has fielded 32-year-old youth wing leader Neeraj Kumar Sinha as its candidate. The bypoll will mark the electoral debut of Prashant Kishor, the 49-year-old founder of the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), which failed to win any seat in the Assembly poll last year.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha campaigning in Meethapur locality in the Bankipur Assembly constituency on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
Amit Bhelari

The Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has nominated Rekha Kumari, who was the runner-up from the seat in the Assembly poll that was won by Mr. Nabin by a margin of over 50,000 votes. RJD working president Tejashwi Yadav joined the party’s campaign only on Monday.

Although 25 candidates are in the fray, the contest appears to be primarily between the BJP and the JSP. The Bankipur constituency has nearly four lakh voters. The Kayasth and Yadav communities together account for about 25% of the electorate. Muslims and Chandravanshis also have sizeable numbers, with both communities constituting nearly 20% of the voters. The Vaishya, Dalit, Bhumihar, Rajput, Brahmin, Kurmi, and Kushwaha communities each make up between 3% and 8% of the electorate.

Key concerns

On the BJP candidate’s roadshow, Sanjay Gupta, a trader from Meethapur, said, “We are not looking at caste; for us, the candidate is more important.”

Voters also expressed concern over issues such as the NEET paper leak row and alleged theft of donations at Ram Temple.

Mr. Kishor addressed public meetings in Peermuhani, Sabzibagh, and Jai Prakash Nagar. Speaking to the gathering at Peermuhani, the JSP leader said, “When you go to cast the vote, think about the future of your children.”

Mr. Nabin will be present in Patna on the day of voting, though he is not a voter of Bankipur. He is a voter of the Digha Assembly constituency. The results will be declared on August 3.