Bihar: Lalan Singh predicts BJP victory in Bankipur; Prashant Kishor rejects claim
Patna, July 30
Union Minister and Janata Dal MP from Munger, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, cast his vote in the Bankipur Assembly by-election on Thursday and expressed confidence that the BJP-led NDA would retain the seat.
Speaking to reporters after voting, Lalan Singh dismissed suggestions that Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, posed a serious electoral challenge to the NDA.
"Prashant Kishor is not a threat. He tried his luck in the previous Assembly elections as well, and there is neither any possibility nor any hope of his winning this time. He lives in fanciful dreams, and the soil of Bihar does not accept those who rely on empty rhetoric," Singh said.
Responding to the developments, Prashant Kishor alleged that the election was effectively being fought by the police rather than the BJP. He claimed that the Patna Police had intimidated voters and Jan Suraaj workers during polling and alleged that more than 20 Jan Suraaj activists had been detained.
According to Kishor, the police action had backfired and would ultimately work against the ruling alliance.
Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Rekha Gupta also exuded confidence about her prospects, claiming that the electorate was voting for change. She said the people themselves were fighting the election and asserted that a political shift in Bankipur was inevitable.
Gupta also accused the BJP of engaging in conspiracies instead of addressing public issues and reiterated her confidence that she would emerge victorious.
Polling for the high-profile Bankipur Assembly by-election continued under tight security, with the outcome to be decided after the counting of votes.
According to the Election Commission, the constituency recorded a 27.82 per cent voter turnout by 3 p.m. Long queues of voters were seen at several polling stations as people participated in the democratic exercise.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Prashant Kishor's allegations about police intimidation are serious. If true, that's a concern for democratic processes anywhere in India. But Banks of Bihar are smart—they know when elections are being rigged. The 27% turnout by 3 PM suggests maybe people aren't as scared as claimed. Or maybe they're just cautious. Let's wait for final results.
Rekha Gupta from RJD is claiming victory but with only 28% turnout reported, seems like voter apathy is real. Both NDA and opposition keep fighting over who's better, but common citizens just want good roads, jobs, and electricity. Bankipur needs development, not just political drama. Change is needed, but is RJD the answer? 🤔
Lalan Singh says soil of Bihar doesn't accept empty rhetoric, but hasn't Bihar seen enough of that from all sides? Prashant Kishor brings new energy, but Bihar's political script is written by caste equations and local loyalties. NDA may retain Bankipur because of organizational strength, but Jan Suraaj's debut could shake things up in future. Let's see if Kishor's data-driven approach works in Bihar's grassroots.
It's interesting to see this from an outsider perspective. In the US, campaign strategists like Prashant Kishor would be taken more seriously for their expertise. But Indian politics, especially in Bihar, seems deeply rooted in local dynamics. The police intimidation claims are troubling—hopefully the Election Commission is monitoring this closely. Democracy anywhere needs free and fair elections.
S Shreya B All We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.