Patna: With polling for Bankipur assembly byelection just two days away, the contest has become one of the most closely watched political battles in Bihar. The bypoll, triggered amid continuing public debate over the recent student protests and the arrest of 355 protesters, is being seen by political observers as an important test for the ruling BJP as well as for Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, who is making his electoral debut.The BJP has fielded Neeraj Kumar Sinha, who faces a triangular contest against Jan Suraaj’s Prashant Kishor and RJD’s Rekha Gupta. While Bankipur has traditionally been considered a BJP stronghold, the recent student unrest has added a new dimension to the campaign, with parties seeking to tap into public sentiment.Till recently, everyone considered Bankipur a “cakewalk” for the BJP candidate but scene changed shortly after students’ protest.“The public is upset over the recent student protests. We are also unhappy with the slow pace of development despite the promises made during the last election,” said Sadan, a resident of Buddha Colony.Vishnu Shankar, 19, a NEET aspirant, said, “We don’t want paper leaks to keep affecting students’ futures. We need a govt that prioritises education and addresses corruption in the system.”Ayush Singh, a 19-year-old BSc mathematics (Hon) student at Patna University, said many students were dissatisfied with the govt’s handling of the protests. “As a student, I believe we should give another candidate a chance,” he said. Others, however, said they continued to back the BJP, citing its development agenda.Treating the bypoll as a prestige battle, the BJP has deployed Union and state ministers, legislators and senior party leaders for an intensive campaign. The party has highlighted infrastructure projects and the NDA govt’s development record.Prashant Kishor has projected the bypoll as a referendum on CM Samrat Choudhary’s three-month tenure, while the BJP has rejected the claim and sought votes on its governance record.The RJD has also intensified its campaign, with Tejashwi Prasad Yadav leading roadshows for party candidate Rekha Gupta ahead of polling.
