The high-stakes by-election for the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Bihar concluded on Thursday, July 30, with a sluggish voter turnout. According to the Election Commission of India, only about 34.24% of the roughly 3.8 lakh eligible voters cast their ballots. This marks a significant drop of over seven percentage points compared to the 41.45% turnout recorded in the constituency during the assembly elections held in November of last year.The Bankipur seat, an urban constituency in Patna, fell vacant earlier this year after sitting BJP MLA Nitin Nabin—who has represented the seat for nearly two decades—resigned following his election to the Rajya Sabha. The constituency has been a recognised BJP stronghold for over 35 years. The results for the bypoll, which will decide the fate of 26 candidates, are scheduled to be announced on August 3.Prashant Kishor’s Political Acid TestWhat might have been a routine by-election for the ruling BJP was transformed into a closely watched national event with the entry of Prashant Kishor. The renowned election strategist chose Bankipur for his formal electoral debut, fighting on the ticket of his newly formed party, Jan Suraaj.For Kishor, this election is widely viewed as an acid test. Following a disappointing performance by his party in the broader assembly elections last year, a strong showing in Bankipur is critical to proving his viability as a political candidate, rather than just a backroom strategist.The election is a fierce three-cornered contest. Kishor is up against the BJP’s nominee, Neeraj Kumar Sinha, and the RJD’s candidate, Rekha Gupta. The RJD, hoping to capitalise on anti-incumbency sentiment, is desperate to prove a political point in an area traditionally dominated by the NDA.A Day Marked by High Drama and AllegationsDespite the low turnout, the polling day was highly charged and marred by controversy. On the eve of the election, high drama unfolded as Kishor accused the Bihar Police of acting as an "extension of a political party".Kishor alleged that police systematically detained more than 16 Jan Suraaj workers and polling agents at the behest of the ruling BJP to intimidate voters. "In an organised manner, wherever people of Jan Suraaj have set up tables, these people are taking them away," he alleged, claiming he spent Wednesday night at a Patna police station protesting the detentions.The BJP and local administration firmly rejected these accusations. City SP (Central) Mamta Kalyani dismissed claims of voter obstruction, stating that while they encourage voting, forming groups that violate election protocols is not permitted. Meanwhile, BJP leaders accused Jan Suraaj of attempting to bring in "fake voters". Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh also dismissed Kishor's relevance, stating, "He keeps indulging in fanciful daydreams" and lacks any real prospect of winning.
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