Voting underway for bypolls in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat; BJP, RJD exude confidence in Bankipur

Voting began on Thursday for Assembly by-elections in Bihar's Bankipur, Madhya Pradesh's Datia and Gujarat's Manjalpur constituencies, with polling taking place at designated booths across the three states. The votes will be counted on August 3.

In Bihar, polling is being closely watched in the high-profile Bankipur constituency, which fell vacant after BJP leader Nitin Nabin resigned as MLA following his election to the Rajya Sabha. Nabin had retained the seat in the 2025 Assembly election, defeating RJD's Rekha Kumari by 51,936 votes.

Also Read: Bankipur and Datia set for high-profile bypoll contests


The BJP has fielded Neeraj Kumar Sinha for the bypoll, while the opposition RJD is hoping to wrest the seat from the ruling NDA.

BJP MP Vivek Thakur and senior party leader C.P. Thakur cast their votes at the Bihar State Library polling station on Dak Bungalow Chauraha Road in Patna.

After voting, Vivek Thakur expressed confidence of a comfortable BJP victory.

"In Bankipur, the Bharatiya Janata Party is moving towards a landslide victory. There is enthusiasm among people. And after the passing of yesterday's bill, the youth across the country are once again united, as they have always been with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Because of the scene in the House yesterday, those who were creating obstacles were the Congress Party and Rahul Gandhi. It's their advisors who have come to Patna to contest elections. So no one is going to be misled; there will be a landslide victory," he said.

Asked if he would be returning to Parliament after casting his vote, Thakur replied, "I'm going. Off to Delhi."

Senior BJP leader C.P. Thakur also voiced confidence in the party's prospects.

Also Read: Prashant Kishor files nomination for Bankipur bypoll, takes on BJP's Neeraj Kumar Sinha

"With the whole family. We all help the party we support; the whole family votes for that party. Landslide victory," he said.

Reflecting on the constituency, he added: "This is a changed Patna. We have been voting at this booth for the last 30 years."

Former Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar had earlier appealed to voters to support NDA candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha, saying every vote was vital to maintaining the state's development momentum. BJP national president Nitin Nabin also urged voters to back Sinha, describing him as a dedicated party worker who had risen through the organisational ranks.

However, the opposition remained upbeat. RJD leader and Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav expressed confidence ahead of polling, saying, "We are clearly going to win the election..."

Also Read: Prashant Kishor says BJP lacks candidate of calibre after Bankipur withdrawal

Polling also got underway in Madhya Pradesh's Datia Assembly constituency, where the by-election was necessitated after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified on April 2 under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The BJP has fielded Ashutosh Tiwari, replacing former state Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who represented Datia for three consecutive terms between 2008 and 2018 before losing the seat in the 2023 Assembly election. The Congress has nominated Ghanshyam Singh.

In Gujarat, voting is in progress for the Manjalpur Assembly bypoll in Vadodara. The seat fell vacant following the death of sitting BJP MLA Yogeshbhai Narandas Patel.

The results of all three by-elections will be declared on August 3.