The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar encountered a significant setback on Friday when its candidate for the high-profile July 30 Bankipur Assembly bypoll, Abhishek Sinha, withdrew his candidacy at the last moment, just one day after filing his nomination papers. Sinha, who serves as the chief of the BJP's youth wing in Bihar, cited family reasons for his abrupt decision to exit the race for the constituency that fell vacant after former BJP president Nitin Nabin resigned upon his election to the Rajya Sabha.
Last-minute replacement and opposition jibes
In response to the sudden withdrawal, the BJP swiftly fielded Naveen Kumar as its new candidate on the same day. The development drew sharp criticism from opposition parties, who accused the saffron party of being nervous and unprepared ahead of the bypoll. The RJD, which has fielded Rekha Gupta for the seat—a candidate who secured a significant vote share against Nabin in the previous election—seized the opportunity to highlight the BJP's disarray.
Prashant Kishor's maiden electoral contest
Adding to the significance of the Bankipur bypoll is the candidacy of Prashant Kishor, the former political strategist and founder of Jan Suraaj, who will contest his maiden election from this seat. Kishor's entry into electoral politics has drawn considerable attention, as he previously played a key role in strategizing campaigns for various parties, including the BJP.
Timeline and key dates
The last date for filing nominations is July 13, and counting of votes is scheduled for August 3. The bypoll was necessitated after Nitin Nabin, the sitting BJP MLA from Bankipur, resigned following his election to the Rajya Sabha in March 2026. The constituency is considered a stronghold of the BJP, making Sinha's withdrawal a notable blow to the party's prospects.
Opposition reaction and political implications
Opposition leaders were quick to comment on the BJP's predicament. RJD spokesperson Mrinal Shekhar said, "The last-minute withdrawal of the BJP candidate shows the party is nervous and lacks confidence. This is a clear sign of internal turmoil within the ruling party." The Congress also weighed in, with state president Akhilesh Prasad Singh stating, "The BJP cannot even manage its own candidates. This reflects poorly on their governance."
The bypoll is seen as a litmus test for the BJP's popularity in Bihar, especially after the party's performance in the 2025 state elections. The presence of Prashant Kishor as a candidate adds a new dynamic, as he aims to leverage his grassroots outreach through Jan Suraaj. Meanwhile, the RJD's Rekha Gupta is expected to mount a strong challenge, having previously demonstrated electoral viability against the BJP.
