Prashant Kishor has received Tej Pratap Yadav’s support in the Bankipur Assembly by-election, giving the Jan Suraaj founder an additional political boost in his attempt to break the BJP’s long hold over the Patna constituency.
The Janshakti Janata Dal president also appealed to the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s candidate for cooperation, even as the RJD remains in the contest. Bankipur will vote on July 30, with results due on August 3.
Tej Pratap Yadav backs Prashant Kishor
Yadav announced his support for Kishor while speaking to reporters on Friday.
“It started raining the moment we announced our support to Prashant Kishor… In Bankipur, the right candidate should win,” he said.
Kishor is contesting the by-election as the Jan Suraaj Party candidate. The poll marks his attempt to enter an Assembly constituency that the BJP has controlled for more than 15 years.
JJD seeks support from RJD candidate Rekha Kumari
Yadav also appealed to Rekha Kumari, also known as Rekha Gupta, to support the front backed by his party.
“The RJD also has a candidate there, Rekha Gupta; we want her to support us as well,” he said.
Rekha Kumari is contesting on an RJD ticket, leaving the opposition vote divided between her and Kishor as polling approaches.
BJP fields Neeraj Kumar Sinha in Bankipur
The BJP is defending the seat with Neeraj Kumar Sinha as its candidate.
The party initially selected Abhishek Kumar Sinha, who subsequently withdrew from the election citing family reasons. Neeraj Kumar Sinha was then brought in as his replacement.
Bhojpuri singer-actor and BJP MLC Pawan Singh has joined the campaign for Sinha, describing the candidate as his brother.
“I have come to my home. I have come for my brother. I will go and request my family to bless my brother Neeraj. Blessings are pouring in,” Singh said.
Prashant Kishor challenges BJP’s Bankipur record
Bankipur had been represented by Nitin Nabin since 2010. The by-election became necessary after he resigned from the Bihar Legislative Assembly following his election to the Rajya Sabha.
Nabin is now the BJP’s national president.
Kishor is seeking to end the BJP’s winning streak in the constituency, while the ruling party is relying on its established organisation and long electoral record in the seat.
Bankipur bypoll voting and result dates
The Election Commission announced the by-election for the 182-Bankipur Assembly constituency alongside polls in Datia in Madhya Pradesh and Manjalpur in Gujarat.
Nominations closed on July 13, scrutiny was conducted on July 14, and the withdrawal deadline ended on July 16.
Voting will take place on July 30. Votes will be counted on August 3.