Patna, July 30 (IANS) Union Minister and Janata Dal (United) MP from Munger, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, cast his vote in the Bankipur Assembly by-election on Thursday and expressed confidence that the BJP-led NDA would retain the seat.

Speaking to reporters after voting, Lalan Singh dismissed suggestions that Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, posed a serious electoral challenge to the NDA.

“Prashant Kishor is not a threat. He tried his luck in the previous Assembly elections as well, and there is neither any possibility nor any hope of his winning this time. He lives in fanciful dreams, and the soil of Bihar does not accept those who rely on empty rhetoric,” Singh said.

Responding to the developments, Prashant Kishor alleged that the election was effectively being fought by the police rather than the BJP. He claimed that the Patna Police had intimidated voters and Jan Suraaj workers during polling and alleged that more than 20 Jan Suraaj activists had been detained.

According to Kishor, the police action had backfired and would ultimately work against the ruling alliance.

Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Rekha Gupta also exuded confidence about her prospects, claiming that the electorate was voting for change. She said the people themselves were fighting the election and asserted that a political shift in Bankipur was inevitable.

Gupta also accused the BJP of engaging in conspiracies instead of addressing public issues and reiterated her confidence that she would emerge victorious.

Polling for the high-profile Bankipur Assembly by-election continued under tight security, with the outcome to be decided after the counting of votes.

According to the Election Commission, the constituency recorded a 27.82 per cent voter turnout by 3 p.m. Long queues of voters were seen at several polling stations as people participated in the democratic exercise.

–IANS

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