Bankipore bypoll: BJP makes bid to consolidate minority votes in its favour

Patna (ABN): In a bid to ensure the victory of NDA candidate Neeraj Kumar in the Bankipore assembly by-election, the Janata Dal (United) intensified its election campaign by organizing a large dialogue program with the minority community at the historic Anjuman Islamiya Hall in Patna on Sunday. The event was attended by several state government ministers, members of the Legislative Council, heads of minority institutions, and senior party leaders, who appealed to the minorities to unite and vote in favor of the NDA.

The program was attended by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Minister for Minority Welfare Zama Khan, Minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary, Chairman of the Bihar State Sunni Waqf Board Arshadullah, Chairman of the Bihar State Shia Waqf Board Arshad Ali Azad, Chairman of the Bihar Madrasa Board Salim Parvez, MLC Khalid Anwar, MLC Afaque Alam, JD(U) General Secretary Major Iqbal, former MLA Dr. Azhar, and several other leaders. A significant number of women were also present at the Anjuman Islamiya Hall, along with men.

Addressing thousands of people, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar has achieved significant successes in the fields of development, peace, and basic amenities over the past 20 years, which are rare in other states. He said that the opposition had tried to create unnecessary fear and panic among Muslims regarding the Special Revision Campaign (SIR), but in reality, not a single Muslim's name was unjustly removed from the voter list, exposing the opposition's claims.

He said that the enthusiasm of the people of Bankipore is a symbol of the fact that people are standing with development, peace, and a stable government, rather than chaos. He appealed to the people to make NDA candidate Neeraj Kumar victorious with a huge majority, ensuring the continuation of the development journey.

Minister for Minority Welfare Zama Khan said that the Nitish Kumar government has taken historic steps for the educational, social, and economic development of minorities. He said that 30 residential schools have been established for minority students in the state, boundaries of graveyards have been constructed, madrasas have been modernized, and several welfare schemes have been implemented to connect minorities with the development stream. He said that the government works seriously to solve the problems of minorities on every religious occasion.

He clearly stated that the current government is following the path laid down by former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He said that he met the current Chief Minister on the occasion of Bakra Eid and told him to take better steps regarding the Muslim sacrifice, and the Chief Minister ordered his senior officials to do so, resulting in improved conditions, and people celebrated Eid with great enthusiasm.

Minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary said in his address that the new story of development that has been written in Bihar over the past two decades is the result of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's visionary leadership. He said that the Bankipore by-election is not just an election for a single seat, but an election for the continuation of development, stability, and better governance. He appealed to minority voters to unite and make NDA candidate Neeraj Kumar victorious.

During the program, the speakers detailed the various welfare schemes of the Nitish government, the law and order situation, the development of infrastructure, and the measures taken for the welfare of minorities. Finally, the party leaders expressed confidence that the people of Bankipore will make the NDA candidate victorious, deciding in favor of development and stability.