Jan Suraj Party founder Prashant Kishore will contest the assembly by-election from Bankipur. He described it as ‘the beginning of new politics’ in Bihar and said that it is not anyone’s stronghold but the people of Bihar. He is contesting the elections alone without any alliance.
Patna (Bihar) [भारत]July 5 (ANI): Jan Suraj Party founder Prashant Kishor, who has been named candidate for the Bankipur assembly bypoll, on Sunday described the development as the beginning of “a new kind of politics” in Bihar.
Bankipur is considered a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party, with the party’s national president Nitin Nabin himself representing the area since 2010. Kishore rejected such views, insisting that it is the “bastion” of the people of Bihar.
‘Beginning of new politics’
Kishor told reporters, “We see this as the beginning of a new kind of politics in Bihar… This is not anyone’s bastion; this is the bastion of the people of Bihar… Things will definitely change… People should vote for the best candidate who represents the beginning of this new politics.”
Jan Suraj’s founder refused to contest the bypolls in the alliance, saying his party was not participating in the elections just to win seats but to start a new political movement.
He further said, “We are not fighting just for assembly seats, but to start a new political movement. As we contest the elections, the onus will be on the voters of Bihar to make a fresh start for the state… We are fighting the elections alone (without forming an alliance with any other party). However, I welcome support from anyone who feels they should help.”
By-elections announced in three states
Bankipur assembly constituency was declared vacant after Nitin Nabin was elected to Rajya Sabha from Bihar. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced the schedule of by-elections to three assembly constituencies in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, including the high-profile seats of Bankipur, Datia and Manjalpur.
According to an official press release issued by the Election Commission, the poll body has decided to hold by-elections to fill the vacancies in these constituencies. In Madhya Pradesh, the vacancy in the 22-Datia assembly constituency arose due to the disqualification of Rajendra Bharti. Meanwhile, in Gujarat, elections for the 145-Manjalpur Assembly constituency will be held to fill the seat left vacant after the unfortunate demise of the sitting MLA, Yogeshbhai Narandas Patel.
This is the complete election program
According to the official schedule released by the poll body, the gazette notification for the by-election will be issued on July 6 (Monday), allowing the nomination process to begin. The last date for filing nominations has been fixed for July 13 (Monday), while the scrutiny of nomination papers is to be held on July 14 (Tuesday). Candidates will have time till July 16 (Thursday) to withdraw their candidature. Voting for three assembly seats in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat will be held on July 30 (Thursday), while the counting of votes is scheduled for August 3 (Monday). The Election Commission further said that the entire election process will be completed by August 4 (Tuesday).
Voting will be done through EVM and VVPAT
The Commission has decided to use EVMs and VVPATs in the by-elections at all polling stations. Adequate numbers of EVMs and VVPATs have been made available, and all steps have been taken to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly with the help of these machines. (ANI)
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