BJP Replaces Bankipur Bypoll Candidate After Last-Minute Withdrawal

The Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) on Friday replaced its candidate for the Bankipur Assembly bypoll after nominee Abhishek Kumar Sinha , popularly known as Bunty, withdrew from the contest a day after filing his nomination papers, citing "family reasons." The party immediately announced Neeraj Kumar Sinha , a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader, as its new candidate.

In a brief statement, Abhishek Kumar Sinha said he was unable to contest due to personal reasons but would continue working for the party. Soon after, the BJP's Central Election Committee named 32-year-old Neeraj Kumar Sinha as the replacement.

Neeraj Kumar Sinha, a resident of Patna's Mithapur locality, is the nephew of late Bharatiya Jan Sangh leader Narendra Bharti Mandal . Party sources believe both leaders were backed by BJP national president Nitin Nabin , who vacated the seat after being elected to the Rajya Sabha. The BJP has held the constituency continuously since 1995 .

The development has intensified the bypoll battle, with Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor emerging as the BJP's principal challenger. Kishor alleged the withdrawal reflected the BJP's concern over growing public dissatisfaction and urged voters to use the bypoll to express their views against the ruling NDA government.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress also questioned the official explanation, alleging the withdrawal resulted from internal party decisions rather than personal circumstances. While political speculation has linked the move to adverse feedback about the original nominee, the BJP has not confirmed such claims.

The bypoll is also being contested by RJD candidate Rekha Gupta , runner-up in the 2025 Assembly election.

The sudden candidate change has brought the spotlight on internal party dynamics and the BJP's strategy to minimise electoral risks. With Bankipur remaining a traditional BJP stronghold, the contest is expected to test voter sentiment and shape the political narrative ahead of future elections in Bihar.