By-elections begin in Bihar, MP, Gujarat; BJP confident of victory

Voting is underway for assembly by-elections in Bihar's Bankipur, MP's Datia, and Gujarat's Manjalpur. BJP leaders expressed confidence in a 'landslide victory' in Bankipur. Vote counting is set for August 3.

Voting began on Thursday for by-elections to the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Bihar, Datia in Madhya Pradesh and Manjalpur in Gujarat, with polling underway at designated polling stations across the three states. The counting of votes will take place on August 3.

Bankipur By-election in Bihar

In Patna, BJP MP Vivek Thakur and senior BJP leader CP Thakur cast their votes at the Bihar State Library polling station on Dak Bungalow Chauraha Road under the Bankipur Assembly constituency.

Speaking to ANI after casting his vote, Vivek Thakur expressed confidence in a decisive victory for the BJP in Bankipur. "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.

When asked if he would return to Parliament, Vivek Thakur said, "I'm going. Off to Delhi."

CP Thakur said his entire family had voted and expressed confidence in a "landslide victory" for the party they support. "With the whole family. We all help the party we support; the whole family votes for that party. Landslide victory," he said. "This is a changed Patna. We have been voting at this booth for the last 30 years," CP Thakur added.

The Bankipur seat fell vacant after BJP leader Nitin Nabin resigned as MLA following his election to the Rajya Sabha. Nabin had won the constituency in the 2025 Assembly election, defeating RJD candidate Rekha Kumari by 51,936 votes. The BJP has fielded Neeraj Kumar Sinha as its candidate for the Bankipur bypoll.

Former Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) MP Nitish Kumar had urged voters to support Sinha, saying every vote was crucial to maintaining the pace of development in the state. BJP national president Nitin Nabin also appealed to voters to back the NDA candidate, describing Sinha as a dedicated party worker who had risen through the organisational ranks.

Meanwhile, Bihar Leader of Opposition and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed confidence in winning the Bankipur by-election. "We are clearly going to win the election..." Yadav told ANI.

Datia By-election in Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh, the Datia Assembly seat fell vacant following the disqualification of Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti on April 2 under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The BJP has fielded Ashutosh Tiwari, while the Congress has nominated Ghanshyam Singh for the bypoll. Tiwari replaced former state Home Minister Narottam Mishra as the BJP candidate. Mishra had represented Datia for three consecutive terms from 2008 to 2018 but lost the seat in the 2023 Assembly elections.

Manjalpur By-election in Gujarat

Voting also began for the Manjalpur bypoll in Vadodara, while polling commenced at designated polling stations in Datia for the Assembly by-election. The Manjalpur seat in Gujarat fell vacant following the demise of sitting BJP MLA Yogeshbhai Narandas Patel. (ANI)

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