Patna, August 2: Tensions are rising in Bihar’s political landscape as the results of the Bankipur Assembly by-election approach. Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraj Party, has made serious allegations against the electoral process and administration. In response, leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) have sharply countered these claims. They assert that Kishor’s party is itself violating the election code while attempting to create a narrative of defeat.
BJP state president Sanjay Sarawagi stated that Kishor’s accusations against others reflect his own actions. He alleged that Kishor continued to engage with outsiders and spent hours at police stations even after the campaign period had ended, moving around with a large convoy in the electoral area. Sarawagi questioned who granted him the authority to act in such a manner after campaigning had concluded.
He emphasized that the Election Commission’s rules are clear: no candidate or leader is permitted to engage in such activities on election day. Sarawagi claimed that Kishor exceeded the prescribed election expenditure limits and violated the election code.
Furthermore, he accused the Jan Suraj Party of preemptively questioning the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in anticipation of a potential defeat. Sarawagi predicted that Kishor would raise allegations against the EVMs following the results on August 3. He expressed gratitude to the voters of Bankipur, asserting that they would once again place their trust in the BJP, leading to a victory for the party’s candidate.
Bihar government minister Ratnesh Sada also claimed a certain victory for the NDA. He remarked that the opposition appears to be absent from the contest and that the NDA’s win in this by-election is guaranteed. Sada criticized Kishor, stating that he previously crafted electoral strategies for others but received a different response from the public when he entered the fray himself. He affirmed that the public’s trust lies with the NDA, and the opposition is unlikely to secure any wins.
JDU leader Shyam Rajak dismissed Kishor’s allegations as unworthy of serious consideration. He noted that the public had already expressed their decision through the EVMs, casting votes in favor of NDA candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha. Rajak pointed out that when a party or candidate senses impending defeat, they often question the electoral process. He added that such claims have surfaced in previous elections, but the public is well aware of the situation.
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