The Kayastha vote is crucial in the Bankipur by-election in Bihar.
Kayastha voters, who are regarded as a crucial voting group in the constituency, are increasingly seeing the Bankipur Assembly by-election through the prism of caste identity as campaigning gains traction.Rohan Srivastava, a Kayastha voter from the constituency, stated, "For us, it is not a fight of the BJP but rather a battle of our caste-identity and we are united to vote in massive numbers."
Caste relations, especially among Kayasthas, have become a key talking point as campaigning is predicted to pick up steam after July 20. Local analysts believe that the BJP's position has been strengthened by the recent admission of scholar KC Sinha from the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) and the backing of several traders. Leaders of the BJP assert that the Vaishya community, which has historically supported the party, is still unified.
"There are around 1.50 lakh kayastha voters in Bankipur and nearly 80000 to 1 lakh in Kumharar assembly constituency in Patna and first time with the entry of Prashant Kishor in the fray has paved a way for their polarisation towards caste candidate fielded by BJP" , Sohan Prasad, a retired teacher from Bander Bagicha..
He stated that after West Bengal, Bankipur and Kumharar have one of the biggest concentrations of Kayastha voters. He also asserted that the community was increasingly voting in unison to support candidates from their own caste.
"It is now our matter of identity in the electoral politics and we,even those who are associated with other parties than BJP,are in mood to vote for BJP candidate silently so that our representatives could be effectively continue in the state legislative assembly" , Sohani Sinha, a teacher at a private school located in Patna. She claimed that by giving Nitin Nabin a prominent role within the party, the BJP had won the support of the community.
Additionally, the BJP is showcasing development projects completed in the area. Sanjay Saraogi, the president of the state BJP, expressed optimism that women and young people will stick with the party.
Workers from all of the main parties are conducting door-to-door outreach as campaigning has become more intense throughout the constituency.Residents of Bankipur commented, "You can see BJP workers in door-to-door intensive campaigns wrapping saffron-colored gamcha around their necks, while RJD workers are seen in campaigns with green gamcha, which is the party's symbolic color, and Jan Suraaj Party workers are wrapping yellow gamcha around their necks."
"At least Bankipur by assembly election has got a color demarcation in campaigns through Bihar's traditional gamchha being used in saffron, yellow, and green color," stated Dr. Archana Kumari, a professor of political science at a government college, in response to the campaign.
In a more lighthearted response, a BJP employee remarked, "Jitega national color hee.. saffron wala kyo ki Yellow color ka Jupiter weak hai and Green color ka Budh planetary position weak hai."
All major parties have expressed confidence in winning the Bankipur by-election, which has entered a critical phase with campaigning expected to pick up speed in the next few days
