Bankapur By‑Election Showdown: NDA Refutes Prashant Kishor’s Defeat Narrative

Patna, August 2 (ANI) – With the final tally for the Bankaipur assembly by‑poll imminent, Bihar’s political landscape is witnessing a fresh round of accusations. Jan Suraj’s founder Prashant Kishor has alleged misconduct by election officials and the ruling coalition. The BJP and JDU have shot back, accusing Kishor of violating the Model Code of Conduct and trying to spin a story of impending loss.

BJP state in‑charge Sanjay Sarawgi highlighted Kishor’s continued presence in police stations, his extensive convoy, and his engagement with outside parties even after the campaigning window closed. “Who authorized such conduct after the official period?” he queried, pointing out the inconsistency in Kishor’s stance.

The BJP stressed that the Election Commission’s rules are explicit: no candidate or supporter may partake in activities that influence voters on polling day. Moreover, the party claimed Kishor’s campaign expenditures far exceeded the legal limit, constituting another breach of regulations.

Sarawgi warned that Jan Suraj is already preparing to contest the EVM count scheduled for 3 August, hoping to sow doubt over a possible defeat. He thanked the voters of Bankaipur for their continued faith in the BJP and affirmed that the party’s candidate is expected to emerge victorious.

State minister Ratnesh Sada echoed similar sentiments, saying the NDA’s win is all but guaranteed and that the opposition has failed to make an impact. He criticized Kishor for previously advising rival parties on election tactics, only to be rejected by the electorate when he contested himself.

JDU leader Shyam Rajak dismissed Kishor’s assertions, emphasizing that the electorate’s decision has already been recorded through the electronic voting process in favour of NDA’s Neeraj Kumar Sinha. He added that parties sensing defeat often resort to questioning the election machinery, a pattern repeated in many past elections.