Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Lalan Singh, Union Minister and Janata Dal (United) MP from Munger, cast his vote in the Bankipur Assembly by-election on Thursday, 30 July and declared that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would comfortably retain the seat. The high-profile constituency in Patna is witnessing a multi-cornered contest that has drawn national attention.

Lalan Singh Dismisses Prashant Kishor as a Threat

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Lalan Singh was unequivocal in brushing aside the challenge posed by Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party. '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.

Singh's remarks signal that the NDA considers the Jan Suraaj Party a peripheral player rather than a credible rival in Bankipur — a seat the alliance is keen to defend ahead of the next Bihar Assembly elections.

Prashant Kishor Alleges Police Intimidation of Voters

Responding sharply, Prashant Kishor alleged that the by-election was effectively being contested by the police rather than the BJP. He claimed that the Patna Police had intimidated voters and Jan Suraaj workers at polling stations and alleged that more than 20 Jan Suraaj activists had been detained during polling. According to Kishor, the police action had backfired and would ultimately work against the ruling alliance.

Notably, this is not the first time allegations of administrative overreach have surfaced during a Bihar by-election. Critics argue that such claims, whether substantiated or not, tend to energise opposition narratives in the days following polling.

RJD Candidate Rekha Gupta Confident of Upset

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Rekha Gupta also expressed confidence about her prospects, asserting that voters were backing change. 'The people themselves are fighting this election,' she said, predicting a political shift in Bankipur. Gupta accused the BJP of focusing on conspiracies rather than public issues, reiterating her belief that she would emerge victorious.

The RJD's confidence reflects a broader opposition calculation that anti-incumbency in the constituency, combined with a fragmented NDA vote, could open a path to an upset.

Turnout and Security

Polling proceeded under tight security arrangements across the constituency. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Bankipur recorded a voter turnout of 27.82% by 3 pm, with long queues reported at several polling booths. The final turnout figure will be crucial in assessing which candidate's ground mobilisation proved more effective.

What Happens Next

Vote counting is scheduled to follow the close of polling, with the result set to offer an early indicator of political momentum in Bihar ahead of the state's next Assembly cycle. A BJP loss would embolden both the RJD-led opposition and the Jan Suraaj Party, while an NDA retention would reinforce the alliance's dominance in the state capital's urban constituencies.