Patna: The NDA netas exuded confidence about BJP candidate’s victory in Bankipur assembly byelection held on Thursday. But Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, who contested the byelection, said, “BJP haar gayi (BJP lost). Though the result will be declared on Aug 3, but people of Bankipur have voted for change.”Union minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh, who flew down from Delhi to vote only, said Prashant is no challenge for the NDA candidate. “Prashant has already tested his strength in the last assembly election,” he said.Leader of opposition in the legislative assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, claimed victory for his RJD candidate Rekha Gupta with a huge margin. “As per the feedback received from all the municipal wards under Bankipur constituency, this byelection result will send a message for change across the country as BJP will lose the seat represented by its national president,” he said. Rekha alleged that BJP members conspired to manipulate the voting process but people voted for change.Minister Ashok Choudhary said there is no contest in Bankipur. Another minister Ram Kripal Yadav said after casting his vote that people wanted a son of the soil. “People overwhelmingly pressed the ‘lotus’ symbol button for a son like Neeraj from a humble background,” he said. Former CM Nitish Kumar’s elder sister, Usha Devi, said the BJP would emerge victorious this time also.Local MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said the people of Bankipur have had an affinity for the BJP for years. “The people voted on the work done by the Nitish Kumar govt, CM Samrat Choudhary, Nitin Nabin, and myself as an MP and wanted to carry this process of development forward,” he said.However, Vikassheel Insaan Party’s chief spokesperson Dev Jyoti said the discerning voters of Bankipur prioritised issues related to regional development, change, and the public interest and voted for a historic victory for the Mahagathbandhan candidate Rekha Gupta.But former minister Mangal Pandey said voter trends indicated that the public is satisfied with the development works and public welfare schemes being implemented under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nitin Nabin and CM Samrat Choudhary.
