BJP withdraws Abhishek Bunty Sinha and names Neeraj Kumar Sinha for Bankipur bypoll

Bankipur Bypoll: The BJP on Friday named Neeraj Kumar Sinha as its candidate, replacing Abhishek Bunty

Abhishek Kumar Sinha, popularly known as Bunty, who is a vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha's state unit, expressed his inability to contest the bypoll a day after filing nomination papers.

Patna: In a surprise development, BJP on Friday replaced its candidate from the Bankipur by-poll and nominated an old-time worker, Neeraj Kumar Sinha, as its new candidate.The high-profile constituency is set to witness a triangular contest with Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor and RJD leader Rekha Gupta also throwing their hats in the ring. Both Kishor and Neeraj are making their electoral debut by contesting the by-poll.Patna, Bihar: On BJP candidate Neeraj Sinha for the Bankipur by-election, BJP State President Sanjay Saraogi says , "Congratulations to the Bharatiya Janata Party's new candidate." pic.twitter.com/rkfVoOxznK— IANS (@ians_india) July 10, 2026 Responding to the BJP candidate quitting the electoral race, Kishor remarked, “Until recently, BJP members boasted that their fortress (Bankipur constituency) was so strong that even if they fielded a dog or a cat, people would vote for them. The situation has changed. Now that the people have an alternative, BJP is struggling to find a candidate... Today, it appears that their own candidate has stepped away from the electoral contest for some reason. Let them deal with that situation now."On Thursday, BJP's worker, Abhishek Kumar, popularly known as Bunty, had filed his nomination with much fanfare. All senior NDA leaders, including Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, had addressed a public meeting in his support following his nomination.Abhishek met Bihar BJP president Sanjay Sarogi at the state party office and handed him a letter, expressing his inability to contest the by-poll due to family reasons. It is another matter that Abhishek's father, mother and other family members, in their media interaction, had expressed their happiness over his nomination as the candidate for the by-poll, saying that the party rewarded him for his consistent hard work.BJP's new candidate, Neeraj, is 32 years old and is also known for his close proximity to the BJP national president. He joined BJP as a primary member in 2006. He held positions like booth president of Narendra Bharti Mandal, Mandal general secretary of Narendra Bharti Mandal and also district president of Bihar Janata Yuva Morcha.His uncle Narendra Bharti was a member of Jan Sangh.Like Abhishek, Neeraj also belongs to the Kayastha community, which has a strong presence in Bankipur Assembly constituency. Neeraj’s family has been associated with the ideology of the Jana Sangh and the BJP from the very beginning.His uncle, Narendra Bharti, was a worker during the Jana Sangh era and played a significant role in expanding the organisation. This is why the party organisation in the area was named the "Narendra Bharti Mandal" in honour of his uncle.Patna's Bankipur Bypoll: BJP Candidate Abhishek Kumar Sinha Pulls Out Day After Filing NominationNow, Neeraj Kumar Sinha, who is leading that same Mandal, has been given a BJP ticket for the legislative assembly election, in what is seen as an attempt to send a strong message to the organisation's dedicated workers.Meanwhile, RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad alleged that BJP was desperate following the nomination by the RJD candidate in the Bankipur by-election. Anticipating a potential defeat, BJP was forced to even replace its candidate in nervousness, he claimed.

The by-election in Bihar, scheduled for July 30, was necessitated after BJP national president Nitin Nabin resigned from the seat following his election to the Rajya Sabha

In a surprise development ahead of the Bankipur Assembly by-election in Bihar, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Abhishek Kumar Sinha, popularly known as 'Bunty', on Friday withdrew his nomination, citing family reasons.#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: BJP candidate for Bankipur Assembly byelection Abhishek Kumar Sinha says, "...due to family reasons, I am unable to contest the Assembly by-election. I will continue to serve faithfully as a party worker.""I have just handed a letter to State President,… pic.twitter.com/I2lWDq36cz— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2026 Announcing his decision, Sinha said he had submitted a letter to Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi informing the party that he would not be able to contest the bypoll. He expressed gratitude to the BJP's central and state leadership for nominating him as the NDA candidate and reiterated that he would continue serving the party as a dedicated worker."I wish to humbly inform you that, due to family reasons, I am unable to contest the Assembly by-election. I will continue to serve faithfully as a party worker," Sinha said while reading out the contents of his letter.Bihar: RJD Fields Its Candidate From Bankipur Constituency, Congress FumesHis withdrawal comes just a day after he filed his nomination papers in the presence of several senior NDA leaders, including Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi, JD(U) working national president Sanjay Kumar Jha, JD(U) state chief Umesh Kushwaha and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary.The BJP had announced Sinha's candidature for the Bankipur bypoll earlier this week. The seat fell vacant following the resignation of BJP national president Nitin Nabin.Voting for the Bankipur Assembly by-election is scheduled for July 30, while counting of votes will take place on August 3. The last date for filing nomination papers is July 13.