Patna: Polling is underway for the prestigious Bankipur Assembly by-election in Patna, with 25 candidates in the fray.
A total of 3,79,616 voters are eligible to decide the electoral fate of the contestants. The contest is primarily seen as a triangular fight between Jan Suraaj candidate Prashant Kishor, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Rekha Gupta, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha, who is backed by the NDA.
Polling began peacefully on Thursday morning, with voters arriving steadily at polling stations, although long queues were seen during the early hours at some places.
At Patna Women’s College, which houses polling booths numbered 90 to 96, voting proceeded smoothly under pleasant weather conditions.
One of the notable moments of the morning was at Booth No. 94, where a 75-year-old woman arrived in a wheelchair to exercise her democratic right.
Many voters said they were casting their ballots with development as their primary concern.
Jan Suraaj convener and Bankipur candidate Prashant Kishor spoke to reporters after arriving at the Jakkanpur police station late on Wednesday night.
Referring to an unspecified incident, he said he was unaware of the exact issue but noted that campaigning is prohibited after 6 p.m.
He alleged that the developments reflected nervousness of his political opponents.
“I do not know the exact issue, but once campaigning ends at 6 p.m., outsiders cannot come here to campaign. Only they can explain the matter, but all this is happening out of nervousness and desperation because they have practically accepted their defeat,” he said.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary urged voters to participate enthusiastically, giving the slogan “First vote, then refreshments.”
He said every citizen should exercise the right to vote responsibly, emphasising that active public participation strengthens democracy.
Senior BJP leader C.P. Thakur also cast his vote and expressed confidence in his party’s victory.
BJP MP Vivek Thakur predicted a decisive win for the BJP, citing enthusiasm among voters, particularly the youth.
JD(U) MLA Shyam Rajak cast his vote and claimed the election was a one-sided contest.
“I am a voter in Bankipur. My polling booth is here, and I have cast my vote today. There is no real contest here; it is a one-sided election,” he said.
BJP State General Secretary Nitin Abhishek has written to the Returning Officer of the Bankipur Assembly constituency, seeking strict verification of voter identity by matching EPIC cards with voter names.
In the letter, the BJP alleged that workers associated with the Jan Suraaj Party were attempting to influence the fairness of the polling process through bogus voting.
The allegation has been made by the BJP, and no official confirmation has been issued by the election authorities.
The district administration has put in place extensive security arrangements to ensure free and fair polling.
422 polling stations have been established across the constituency, and 14 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed.
Security arrangements include 9 squad platoons, 18 static surveillance teams, six video surveillance teams, three video viewing teams, and 42 sector officers.
An officer of the election commission said that adequate numbers of police personnel and magistrates have also been deployed.
Special facilities have been arranged for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The Patna Municipal Corporation has deployed 1,266 personnel to maintain cleanliness, provide drinking water, and ensure other basic amenities at polling stations.
A control room has been established to monitor polling, while authorities have prohibited unnecessary gatherings near polling booths to maintain law and order.
The votes polled in the Bankipur by-election will be counted at AN College on August 3, when the constituency’s next representative will be decided.
(IANS)
