Campaigning for the Bankipur assembly election has entered its final leg, prompting all political parties to deploy their full strength across the constituency. Tejashwi Yadav, who remained largely absent for much of the campaign trail, has now emerged in the closing days to hold roadshows in support of party candidate Rekha Gupta. Amid this intense political maneuvering, RJD supporters firmly believe that, much like the previous election, the primary contest this time remains strictly between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, while Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor holds no effective standing in the race. Several locals alleged that Kishor is merely attempting to create confusion among voters, whereas communities such as Yadavs and Muslims have resolved to vote unitedly for RJD candidate Rekha Gupta. Nevertheless, the RJD is placing special emphasis on consolidating Vaishya voters to swing the arithmetic in its favour.
Prashant Kishor Only Creates Confusion Among Voters
Vikas Yadav stated that Prashant Kishor contested the previous election as well, where the electorate rejected him by forfeiting his deposit across nearly all seats. In Bankipur too, he secured only about 7,000 votes. According to him, the public now understands Kishor's political tactics. Kishor merely aims to confuse voters by manufacturing a narrative that the real fight is between the BJP and Jan Suraaj, placing the RJD third. However, the ground reality is entirely different. Vikas Yadav claims that this time, people across communities including Yadavs, Banias, and Muslims will unite to vote for RJD candidate Rekha Gupta, establishing that the real battle is strictly between the BJP and the RJD.
The Electoral Battle is Between BJP and RJD
Kaushal Kishor Yadav asserted that Rekha Gupta will secure a landslide victory from the Bankipur assembly seat. He stated there will be no fragmentation of votes this time, and everyone will unite to vote for the lantern symbol. Rekha Gupta is not pitted against Prashant Kishor, but rather against the BJP candidate. According to him, Kishor will merely play the role of a vote-cutter in this election. While Rekha Gupta stood second last time, she faces a neck-and-neck fight with the BJP this time around. He claimed that Kishor will cut into BJP votes, which will ultimately benefit the RJD.
Prashant Kishor Holds No Ground Presence
Gautam Shah remarked that Prashant Kishor is merely trying to generate hype, but holds no real influence at the grassroots level. He might even secure fewer votes than an independent candidate. According to him, the electorate has firmly decided to vote exclusively for the RJD. Consequently, the actual contest is solely between BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha and RJD candidate Rekha Gupta.
Outrage Erupts at the Mention of Prashant Kishor
Bankipur resident Sunil Kumar Verma expressed immediate anger upon hearing Prashant Kishor's name. He stated, Do not even take this person's name; it will be a big deal if he saves his deposit this election, and the people of Bankipur will give such individuals a fitting reply at the polls. He further alleged that these leaders are businessmen who push the poor to the back during rallies and only value the wealthy. If he is contesting this election, he will face such a crushing defeat that he will think twice before contesting again. He believes a true legislator should stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the public and be willing to face adversity for them, qualities absent in Kishor. He added that given the prevailing atmosphere, Rekha Gupta appears to be in a strong position, with the main fight remaining between BJP's Neeraj Kumar Sinha and RJD's Rekha Gupta.
Voters to Unite Behind Lalu and Tejashwi
Vishwanath Prasad Gupta noted that Lalu Prasad Yadav gave a voice to the impoverished, while Tejashwi Yadav stands as a leader for the youth. He claimed that the artificial wave Prashant Kishor is trying to create will have no bearing on the election, and Kishor will not even be seen in the area once polling concludes. He asserted that communities including Yadavs and Muslims have resolved to vote unitedly for Rekha Gupta, posing a formidable challenge to the BJP.
