Patna, July 30 : Polling for the high-profile Bankipur Assembly by-election in Patna district has been progressing peacefully since 7 a.m. on Thursday, with voters turning out steadily at polling stations across the constituency. According to the Election Commission, 11.50 per cent voter turnout was recorded by 11 a.m., and officials expect the polling percentage to increase as the day advances.

The by-election is being closely watched in Bihar's political circles, with a three-cornered contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Jan Suraaj.

The BJP has fielded Neeraj Kumar Sinha, while the RJD has nominated Rekha Gupta. Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor is contesting the election himself, making the contest a politically significant test for all three parties.

Political observers view the by-election as an important challenge for the BJP to retain a constituency long regarded as one of its strongholds, while for Prashant Kishor, the outcome is being seen as a key test of his political standing.

After casting his vote, Bihar minister Ramkripal Yadav said he had voted for NDA candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha on the BJP's Lotus symbol.

Addressing reporters, Yadav described the lotus as a symbol of Goddess Lakshmi and expressed confidence in the NDA candidate's prospects.

He also criticised Prashant Kishor, questioning his local connection with the Bankipur constituency, while describing former BJP MLA Nitin Nabin as a son of the soil.

According to Yadav, voters prefer a local representative and are extending strong support to Neeraj Kumar Sinha.

Senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament Ravi Shankar Prasad also cast his vote in Bankipur and said he had been voting at the same polling booth for the past two decades.

He expressed satisfaction after voting for the BJP-NDA candidate and said the people of Bankipur have maintained a longstanding association with the BJP.

Referring to development initiatives undertaken by the governments led by former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, CM Samrat Choudhary, BJP chief Nitin Nabin, and during his own tenure as an MP, Prasad said voters were supporting the continuation of development in the constituency.

Polling is continuing under extensive security arrangements, and election authorities expect voter participation to increase throughout the day.

The votes will be counted on August 3, when the winner of the Bankipur Assembly by-election will be declared.

/IANS