Why BJP Changed Its Candidate for Bankipur Assembly By-Election 2026 Against Prashant Kishor
The BJP has replaced Abhishek Kumar with veteran leader Neeraj Kumar Sinha as its candidate for Bihar's Bankipur Assembly bypoll, days after approving the former's nomination. The move comes after Prashant Kishor entered the contest, with political observers viewing the change as a strategic effort to strengthen the BJP's campaign in one of its traditional strongholds.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a last-minute change to its candidate for the high-profile Bankipur Assembly by-election in Bihar, replacing its previously announced nominee, Abhishek Kumar, popularly known as Bunty, with veteran party leader Neeraj Kumar Sinha. The decision comes just days after the BJP's Central Election Committee had approved Abhishek Kumar's candidature, adding a new dimension to one of the state's most closely watched electoral contests.
The bypoll has gained political significance following Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor's decision to contest the seat, setting up a three-cornered contest involving the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Jan Suraaj and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which has fielded Rekha Gupta. 'I Am Not Looking for a Safe Seat': Prashant Kishor Confirms Electoral Debut From Bankipur Assembly By-Election (Watch Video).
Why Did BJP Change Its Bankipur Candidate?
While the BJP has described the move as an internal organisational decision, Abhishek Kumar has reportedly cited "family reasons" for stepping aside.
However, political observers believe the decision reflects the party's attempt to field a more experienced leader in response to the evolving political contest in Bankipur. Prashant Kishor To Make Electoral Debut in Bihar, To Contest Bankipur By-Elections From BJP Stronghold (Watch Video).
With Prashant Kishor entering the race, the BJP has opted for Neeraj Kumar Sinha, a veteran leader with long-standing organisational experience in the constituency, as it seeks to retain one of its traditional strongholds.
High-Stakes Bankipur Contest
The by-election was necessitated after sitting MLA and BJP national president Nitin Nabin resigned from the Assembly following his election to the Rajya Sabha. The political landscape changed significantly after Prashant Kishor announced his candidature, while the RJD named Rekha Gupta as its nominee, turning the contest into one of the most closely watched bypolls in Bihar.
The selection of Neeraj Kumar Sinha also helps the BJP maintain its established social and political equation in Bankipur. The constituency, known as Patna West before the 2008 delimitation exercise, has remained a BJP stronghold since 1995.
The seat has traditionally seen significant support from the Kayastha community, which is considered an influential voting bloc in the constituency. By replacing one leader from the community with another, the BJP appears to be seeking continuity in its core support base while minimising the risk of internal dissatisfaction.
The Bankipur bypoll is widely being viewed as an important political contest ahead of future electoral battles in Bihar. For Neeraj Kumar Sinha, the immediate challenge will be to quickly consolidate the BJP's campaign as Prashant Kishor has already begun extensive outreach in the constituency.
With the deadline for filing nominations approaching on July 13, the BJP has moved swiftly to reorganise its campaign around Sinha's local organisational experience. Counting of votes for the Bankipur Assembly by-election is scheduled for August 3.
Bankipur has remained one of the BJP's most reliable urban constituencies for nearly three decades. The party's decision to replace its originally announced candidate shortly before the nomination deadline underscores the importance it attaches to retaining the seat, particularly after Prashant Kishor's entry transformed the bypoll into a high-profile political contest.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2026 07:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
