Patna: The campaign for the Bankipur Assembly by-election has entered an intensive phase, with candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Jan Suraaj stepping up direct voter outreach after the finalisation of candidates and election symbols.
Instead of relying on large rallies, campaign vehicles and extensive publicity material, the principal contenders are concentrating on neighbourhood visits, door-to-door interactions and small public meetings as they seek to consolidate support ahead of polling.
Candidates Spend Long Hours On The Campaign Trail
Party workers said candidates are spending 14 to 16 hours a day campaigning across the constituency, devoting more time to areas considered electorally significant.
The emphasis has shifted towards personal interaction with voters, with campaign teams visiting homes, local markets and residential colonies to communicate their parties’ agendas.
BJP Highlights Development Agenda
The NDA-backed BJP candidate, Neeraj Kumar Sinha, conducted outreach programmes on Friday in areas including Junction Mandal, Narendra Bharti Mandal, Purandarpur Devi Sthan and Golghar Mandal.
He launched the day’s campaign with Union minister Ram Kripal Yadav at Gandhi Maidan before carrying out door-to-door visits alongside MLA Sanjeev Chaurasia in Narendra Bharti Mandal.
During the interactions, Sinha highlighted the BJP-led government’s development initiatives and outlined his vision for the constituency.
RJD Focuses On Local Outreach
On Saturday, RJD candidate Rekha Gupta campaigned in Langar Toli (Ward 42), Nala Road, Dariyapur Dhobi Tola, Patna Collegiate (Ward 15), Yogi Toli and Rajputana Lakshmi Market.
Accompanied by party leaders and local workers, Gupta met residents during door-to-door visits and promised development if elected.
Her campaign team included Ranvijay Sahu, Bhai Arun, Sanjay Sahni, Guddu Yadav, Ranjay Yadav and Dinesh Paswan, among others.
Jan Suraaj Intensifies Grassroots Campaign
Jan Suraaj candidate Prashant Kishor continued his campaign through meetings and public interactions before undertaking a three-hour padyatra beginning from Hanuman Mandir at New Sipara Mathkhan.
The march passed through Gandhi Chowk, Dasaratha, Adarsh Nagar and Buddhijivi Colony, followed by public interactions in Ward 16 and meetings that continued late into the evening.
Digital Outreach Complements Ground Campaign
Alongside physical campaigning, all three parties have increased efforts to mobilise supporters through phone calls and messaging platforms.
According to party leaders, the BJP has activated its organisational network at the Mandal level, while the RJD is coordinating outreach through local elected representatives.
Jan Suraaj, meanwhile, is working to identify and engage individuals associated with various social movements as part of its campaign strategy.
With the campaign entering its final stretch, the contest in Bankipur is increasingly being fought through personal engagement with voters rather than large-scale public events, reflecting a strategy aimed at maximising direct voter contact before polling.
