BJP Files Nomination for Bankipur Assembly Bypoll in Bihar

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominated Abhishek Kumar Sinha, also known as Bunty, for the Bankipur Assembly constituency by-election in Bihar. The seat became vacant after BJP National President Nitin Nabin was elected to the Rajya Sabha. On July 9, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) officially filed Sinha's nomination papers in Patna, accompanied by senior leaders including MP Ravi Shankar Prasad and Minister Ashok Choudhary.

Sinha faces competition from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, which nominated Rekha Kumari (also referred to as Rekha Gupta), and Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party. Kishor has framed the contest as a referendum on the performance of Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. In response, Choudhary addressed a public rally in Bankipur, criticizing Kishor for lacking a connection to Bihar.

While Bankipur has been a BJP stronghold for nearly three decades, political observers suggest the primary contest may shift between Sinha and Kishor. The by-election is scheduled for July 30, with vote counting set for August 3. Following the nominations, both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan held large rallies to launch their respective campaigns.