Bankipur bypoll results: Tejashwi Yadav predicts RJD win on August 3
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on 30 July expressed strong confidence that his party would win the Bankipur Assembly by-election, with vote counting scheduled for 3 August. Speaking at the RJD office in Patna after polling concluded, Yadav said the results would surprise many across the state.
Tejashwi's Confidence After Polling
Addressing reporters, Tejashwi Yadav claimed that RJD candidate Rekha Gupta had secured support from voters cutting across caste, religious, and social lines. 'The people of Bankipur are voting for the Lantern this time. The Lantern will shine in Bankipur. We have received votes from every ward and every polling booth,' he said, referring to the RJD's election symbol.
Yadav, who also serves as RJD National Working President, added that internal feedback from across the constituency indicated the party was ahead in every ward.
Attack on BJP's Record in Bankipur
Yadav alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has held the Bankipur seat for more than three decades, had failed to deliver adequate development to the constituency. He argued that public frustration with the ruling party had translated into a consolidation of votes behind the RJD.
'The BJP is facing a crushing defeat in Bankipur this time, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal will emerge victorious. Our candidate, Rekha Gupta, is garnering support from all sections of society. The results on 3 August will be in our favour,' he said.
A Three-Cornered Contest
The Bankipur by-election is a triangular contest involving BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha, RJD candidate Rekha Gupta, and Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor. The entry of Kishor, a former political strategist turned electoral participant, has added an unpredictable dimension to what would otherwise have been a straight BJP-RJD fight.
This comes amid heightened political activity in Bihar, where the Bankipur seat has long been considered a BJP stronghold. A win for the RJD here would carry significant symbolic weight ahead of future state-level contests.
What Happens Next
All claims of victory remain unverified until the official count on 3 August. Election authorities will announce the final result after tallying votes from all booths in the constituency. The outcome is being closely watched as a potential indicator of shifting voter sentiment in urban Patna.