Bihar Bankipur bypoll: BJP candidate Abhishek Kumar withdraws nomination a day after filing papers

New Delhi: In a major political development, BJP candidate for the Bankipur assembly bypoll in Bihar Abhishek Kumar withdrew his candidacy on Friday. Abhishek had filed his candidacy in the presence of state BJP president Sanjay Saraogi and other NDA leaders on Thursday. Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary and other NDA leaders had even addressed a rally in Bankipur on his behalf.

On Friday afternoon, Abhishek wrote a letter to Saraogi stating that he could not contest the elections due to family reasons. However, party sources told ET that there was some confusion in the nomination document regarding information about his family and education. He feared that his party candidacy might be cancelled.

On Friday, the BJP immediately announced that Neeraj Kumar Sinha (32) is the party’s new candidate for the seat. Sinha is currently the district vice president of the BJP Yuva Morcha. He will likely submit his candidacy on Monday. Bankipur is the seat of BJP president Nitin Nabin and a battle of prestige for the BJP, especially with Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishore in the fray. RJD fielded Rekha Gupta.

Meanwhile, in Datia, Madhya Pradesh, the BJP made a surprise move by fielding Ashutosh Tiwari in the by-poll. In 2023, incumbent BJP MLA and state minister Narottam Mishra lost the poll to Congress candidate Rajendra Bharti. The by-vote was necessary due to Bharti’s conviction in a case.

BJP leader Narottam Mishra had won this seat three times in 2008, 2013 and 2018, but lost it in 2023.

Considering his track record and seniority, it was assumed that Mishra would get a chance to contest the general election. He had already started campaigning in the region and even bought his candidacy document.
However, the party preferred Ashutosh Tiwari, a candidate with an RSS background. Tiwari is the former divisional organization secretary of the BJP and also served as the chairman of the MP Housing Board with cabinet rank.