Bankipur bypoll: RJD's Rekha Gupta alleges BJP Model Code violations
Synopsis
RJD's Rekha Gupta personally inspected three polling booths in Bankipur and alleged BJP workers in party badges were influencing voters inside — while also accusing the government of deploying Jeevika self-help group members for political ends. With Jan Suraaj Party echoing similar charges and a scuffle reported at Kidwaipuri, polling day in this closely watched Bihar bypoll has turned contentious.
Key Takeaways
RJD candidate Rekha Gupta alleged BJP workers wearing party badges were present at booths 359, 360, and 361 during the Bankipur Assembly by-election on 30 July .
Gupta claimed BJP polling agents were issued BJP ID cards , calling it a 'conspiracy' to influence voters.
She also alleged the government was misusing Jeevika programme members for political mobilisation.
Jan Suraaj Party leaders independently raised similar voter-influence allegations against the BJP.
A scuffle was reported at a polling station in Kidwaipuri locality; the BJP had not responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
Polling began at 7 am under extensive security; results will be declared after vote counting.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Rekha Gupta on Thursday, 30 July alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) at polling stations during the Bankipur Assembly by-election in Patna, accusing them of attempting to sway voters inside and around booths.
What Rekha Gupta Alleged
After personally inspecting booths 359, 360, and 361, Gupta claimed that BJP workers were present at the polling stations wearing party badges and actively trying to influence voters. 'The BJP has hatched a conspiracy. All the polling agents have been given BJP ID cards,' she alleged, urging election authorities to intervene immediately.
Gupta also raised a separate concern, alleging that the state government was deploying members of the Jeevika self-help group programme for partisan political purposes. 'The government has appointed Jeevika Didis only to exercise power and authority. Whether it is a public meeting or an election, they are being used to fill seats,' she claimed.
Polling Begins, Confidence on Both Sides
Voting for the high-profile by-election commenced at 7 am, with all major political parties expressing confidence in their prospects. Election authorities deployed extensive security arrangements across the constituency to oversee the process.
Gupta struck an optimistic note about her own chances, asserting that voters were seeking change. 'The people themselves are fighting this election. We have the full support and blessings of the public, and this time we will emerge victorious,' she said. She also outlined her key priority: 'Our primary concern is the development of the constituency. After winning, I will work to transform Bankipur.'
Other Parties Echo Similar Concerns
Gupta's allegations were not isolated. Jan Suraaj Party leaders had earlier levelled comparable charges against the BJP for allegedly influencing voters. A scuffle was also reported at a polling station in the Kidwaipuri locality on Thursday, though details of the incident remained limited at the time of reporting.
The BJP had not issued any response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
What Happens Next
Vote counting for the Bankipur by-election is scheduled after polling concludes, with the result to be declared subsequently. The Election Commission of India's local authorities are monitoring the situation. This by-election is being watched closely as a political barometer in Bihar, with both the ruling alliance and the opposition staking significant credibility on the outcome.
Point of View
But the specificity here — named booths, badge-wearing agents, Jeevika mobilisation — gives Gupta's charges more traction than a generic complaint. What is notable is that Jan Suraaj Party, not a natural RJD ally, independently echoed the same concerns, lending the allegations cross-party weight. The BJP's silence at the time of reporting is a gap that election authorities and fact-checkers should close quickly. In a constituency as politically symbolic as Bankipur, even the perception of MCC violations can shape the post-result narrative regardless of the actual margin.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the allegations made by RJD's Rekha Gupta in the Bankipur bypoll?
RJD candidate Rekha Gupta alleged that BJP workers wearing party badges were present inside and around polling booths 359, 360, and 361, attempting to influence voters in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. She also claimed BJP polling agents were issued BJP ID cards and that Jeevika programme members were being deployed for political purposes.
When did polling take place for the Bankipur Assembly by-election?
Polling for the Bankipur Assembly by-election was held on Thursday, 30 July, beginning at 7 am. Results will be declared after the counting of votes.
Did any other party raise similar concerns during the Bankipur bypoll?
Yes, Jan Suraaj Party leaders independently raised similar allegations against the BJP for allegedly influencing voters. A scuffle was also reported at a polling station in the Kidwaipuri locality on the same day.
What is the Jeevika programme and why was it mentioned?
Jeevika is a Bihar government-run self-help group programme primarily for women. Rekha Gupta alleged that its members — referred to as Jeevika Didis — were being deployed by the government to fill seats at political events and assist during the election, which she described as a misuse of a welfare scheme for partisan ends.
How did the BJP respond to these allegations?
The BJP had not issued any response to the allegations at the time of reporting. Election authorities were overseeing polling under extensive security arrangements across the Bankipur constituency.
