BJP Nominates Neeraj Kumar Sinha for Bihar's Bankipur By-Election
The BJP has officially nominated Neeraj Kumar Sinha for the Bankipur assembly by-election in Bihar, following the withdrawal of Abhishek Sinha. Scheduled for July 30, this election is expected to be a competitive triangular contest involving the BJP, Jan Suraj Party, and RJD. With significant voter influence from local communities, the stakes are high as candidates prepare for a vigorous campaign. This election is seen as a referendum on the NDA government's performance in the state, making it a focal point in Bihar's political landscape.
Jul 10, 2026, 18:41 IST
BJP's Candidate Change Ahead of Bankipur By-Election
On Friday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced Neeraj Kumar Sinha as its candidate for the upcoming Bankipur assembly by-election in Bihar. This decision comes after the previous candidate, Abhishek Sinha, withdrew his nomination. The by-election is set to take place on July 30, creating an intriguing triangular contest among the BJP, Jan Suraj Party, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
During a press conference in Patna, Sinha informed reporters that he had communicated his decision to withdraw from the election to Sanjay Sarawagi, the president of the BJP's state unit. He expressed gratitude to the party leadership for the opportunity. According to reports, Sinha stated, 'The BJP has chosen me as the NDA candidate for the Bankipur assembly constituency. I am thankful to the central and state leadership. However, due to family reasons, I will not be able to contest the by-election. I will continue to serve as a dedicated party worker.'
The Bankipur by-election is scheduled for July 30, 2026, with the counting of votes taking place on August 3. This election became necessary after BJP leader Nitin Nawin vacated the seat upon being elected to the Rajya Sabha. The contest is shaping up to be a high-profile battle among the BJP, Jan Suraj Party (JSP), and RJD. Prashant Kishor, the founder of the Jan Suraj Party and a former election strategist, is contesting in this by-election, while the RJD has fielded Rekha Gupta.
Bankipur, located in central Patna, is a significant urban constituency with around 400,000 voters. Its political importance is heightened due to the strong influence of the Kayasth and Vaishya communities. Both the BJP and Jan Suraj Party have launched vigorous election campaigns, with Kishor presenting this by-election as a crucial referendum on the performance of the ruling NDA government in Bihar.