Bankipur bypoll sees low turnout; Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party challenges BJP stronghold

A bypoll for the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Bihar took place on Friday, with a voter turnout of 34.2% as of 8:30 pm. The seat fell vacant after BJP national president Nitin Nabin was elected to the Rajya Sabha. The contest involves three main candidates: the BJP’s Neeraj Kumar Sinha, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)’s Rekha Gupta, and the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP)’s Prashant Kishor.

Polling was marked by low voter presence at several booths. In Jakkanpur, a government servant who cast her vote declined to disclose her choice but commented on the perceived dominance of the BJP in the region. In areas with substantial Muslim populations, some voters were heard expressing support for Jan Suraaj.

Kishor was unusually active on polling day, moving between booths. Earlier, he intervened after two JSP workers were detained by police at Jakkanpur. On Thursday morning, he successfully pressed polling officials to repair a malfunctioning electronic voting machine (EVM) in Daldali. He told the Jakkanpur police station in-charge, “Either tell us the location of our two detained workers or be ready to lose your job.” The SHO accused Kishor of threatening a police officer. The JSP and the BJP exchanged allegations of intimidation, with minor clashes reported in S K Nagar and Anandpuri. In Anandpuri, JSP leader Kishore Kumar Munna was pushed by BJP workers after a heated exchange.

Voter sentiments across several localities indicated a direct contest between the BJP and the JSP. In upper-caste dominated areas like Kadamkuan, voters appeared consolidated in favour of the BJP. Ranjeet Kumar Sinha, a voter there, said, “We look at the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and BJP president Nitin Nabin — not the candidate. Prashant Kishor is closing the gap, but he might not be able to breach the BJP fortress.”

In Jakkanpur, some voters expressed concern over the BJP becoming “complacent” and “drunk with power”. Dr Ajay Kumar said, “Let us see if Prashant can upset the BJP’s applecart.” At Khaitan Market, a voter who chanted “jai Jan Suraaj, jai Prashant” while entering a booth noted that Kishor had dissolved traditional caste and religious boundaries.

In Sabji Bagh, an area with a significant Muslim electorate, there were indications of a shift from the RJD to the JSP. Syed Abu Mustafa said, “We see potential in Prashant to challenge the BJP, which is why we are backing him at the expense of the RJD’s Rekha Gupta.” In Mandiri, traditionally a Yadav stronghold for the RJD, some voters said they had backed Kishor. Pintu Yadav said, “So what if we are Yadavs and wear green towels? We have backed Prashant this time.”

Even in Rajapul, an area traditionally loyal to the BJP, some voters said they considered a change. Raj Kumar Mehta said, “If the election process remains fair and the BJP doesn’t micro-manage every booth, Prashant could surprise everyone. Though there’s many a slip between the cup and the lip, the Bankipur fortress is certainly showing its first real cracks.”

Bankipur, an urban constituency, has been a BJP stronghold since 1995. The bypoll result is expected to be a test of the BJP’s hold amid the entry of Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, which seeks to break traditional caste-based voting patterns.