Bypolls begin in Bankipur, Datia, Manjalpur under tight security
Synopsis
Three Assembly seats across Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat went to polls on 30 July in bypolls triggered by a Rajya Sabha elevation, a disqualification, and a sitting MLA's death. The Bankipur contest — pitting political strategist Prashant Kishor against the BJP and RJD — is the race attracting the most national scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
Bypolls for Bankipur (Bihar), Datia (Madhya Pradesh), and Manjalpur (Gujarat) began on 30 July 2025 under heavy security.
In Bankipur , Prashant Kishor (JSP) faces Neeraj Kumar Sinha (BJP) and Rekha Gupta (RJD) in a three-cornered contest.
The Datia seat fell vacant after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified following a bank scam conviction; Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh contests for the seventh time for Congress.
Manjalpur bypoll was triggered by the death of BJP MLA Yogesh Patel , who had won eight terms since 1990 .
Campaigning concluded on 28 July ; results will serve as a political barometer in all three states.
Polling for Assembly by-elections in Bihar's Bankipur, Madhya Pradesh's Datia, and Gujarat's Manjalpur constituencies got underway on Thursday, 30 July under extensive security cover. The Election Commission of India (ECI) and local administrations have put in place elaborate arrangements to ensure free, fair, and transparent voting across all three seats.
Security and Logistics on Poll Day
Election officials oversaw the distribution of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and related materials to polling personnel from designated EVM centres ahead of the opening of booths. Polling teams subsequently moved to their respective stations with the required equipment. Authorities confirmed that all preparations had been completed in line with ECI guidelines, with security significantly reinforced across all three constituencies.
Bankipur: A Three-Cornered Fight to Watch
The Bankipur seat, situated in the urban belt of Patna, has drawn the most national attention. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded its youth wing leader Neeraj Kumar Sinha, while the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) has nominated political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has entered the contest with Rekha Gupta, setting up a keen three-cornered race.
The bypoll was necessitated after five-time MLA and BJP national president Nitin Nabin was elected to the Rajya Sabha in April, vacating the Assembly seat.
Datia: Veteran Versus Debutant
In Datia, the BJP has nominated Ashutosh Tiwari, contesting his first Assembly election, while the Indian National Congress (Congress) has once again fielded veteran leader Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh, who is contesting from this seat for the seventh time.
The Datia seat fell vacant on 2 April after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified under Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, read with Article 191(1)(e) of the Constitution, following his conviction in a bank scam case.
Manjalpur: BJP Defends a Legacy Seat
In Vadodara's Manjalpur constituency, the bypoll was triggered by the death of senior BJP MLA Yogesh Patel, a veteran legislator who had represented the Assembly since 1990 — first from Raopura and later from Manjalpur — winning a total of eight terms. He had also served as pro tem Speaker of the Gujarat Assembly in 2022 and held the position of Minister of State during his political career.
The BJP has fielded Satish Patel for the seat, while the Congress has nominated former minister Bhikhabhai Rabari, making it a direct two-party contest. Campaigning across all three constituencies concluded on 28 July, with parties making a final push through rallies, roadshows, and public outreach.
Results will be closely watched as a gauge of political sentiment in three states ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
Point of View
Bankipur carries disproportionate national weight — not because of the seat itself, but because of Prashant Kishor's entry as a candidate rather than a consultant. A strong showing would validate his Jan Suraaj model; a poor one would raise hard questions about whether ground-level political capital translates to votes. Datia's contest is equally telling: the Congress returning Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh for a seventh attempt signals a party short on fresh faces in Madhya Pradesh, even as the BJP tests a political newcomer. Manjalpur, meanwhile, is a straight succession contest — the real question is whether the BJP can hold a seat built entirely around one veteran's personal connect.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are bypolls being held in Bankipur, Datia, and Manjalpur?
Each seat fell vacant for a different reason. Bankipur became vacant after BJP MLA Nitin Nabin was elected to the Rajya Sabha in April. Datia's seat was vacated after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified following a bank scam conviction. Manjalpur's bypoll was triggered by the death of senior BJP MLA Yogesh Patel.
Who are the key candidates in the Bankipur bypoll?
The BJP has fielded youth wing leader Neeraj Kumar Sinha, the Jan Suraaj Party has nominated political strategist Prashant Kishor, and the RJD has entered Rekha Gupta — making it a three-cornered contest in Patna's urban belt.
What is significant about the Datia bypoll?
Congress veteran Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh is contesting from Datia for the seventh time, facing BJP debutant Ashutosh Tiwari. The seat fell vacant after the sitting Congress MLA was disqualified under the Representation of the People Act following a criminal conviction.
Who is contesting the Manjalpur bypoll in Gujarat?
The BJP has fielded Satish Patel, while the Congress has nominated former minister Bhikhabhai Rabari. The seat opened up after the death of eight-term MLA Yogesh Patel, who had held the constituency since 1990.
When did campaigning end for these bypolls?
Campaigning for all three Assembly bypolls concluded on 28 July 2025, two days before polling day. Parties held rallies, roadshows, and public outreach programmes in the final push for votes.
