The BJP’s choice to change its nominee for the Bankipur Assembly seat in Bihar ahead of the July 30 bypoll has introduced a fresh element into a closely monitored race. Prashant Kishor’s entry into the contest with his Jan Suraaj Party had already drawn wide notice across the state. The withdrawal of the BJP’s first pick, prompted by his father’s conviction in the fodder scam, now supplies the opposition, especially Kishor, with fresh campaign material. The party had first named Abhishek Kumar, viewed as an associate of BJP national president Nitin Nabin. Kumar later stepped aside citing family reasons, after which the BJP selected Neeraj Kumar Sinha, another newcomer also linked to Nabin. The bypoll became necessary once Nabin, who had held Bankipur for five terms, moved to the Rajya Sabha upon becoming state BJP chief. The contest now features three main contenders. The BJP relies on its long record of holding the seat, while the RJD has put forward Rekha Gupta, who placed second in the 2025 assembly polls. Kishor has presented the bypoll as a test of urban voter preferences in Bihar, urging residents to look past caste lines in a constituency that includes key state offices. A senior BJP figure conceded the party had misjudged its first selection. The organisation draws confidence from winning the seat since 1995, yet screening failed to anticipate the fodder-scam issue surfacing. Once leaders saw Kishor preparing to highlight the matter, they replaced the candidate. The controversy is expected to persist through the campaign. RJD spokesperson Subodh Kumar Mehta said the three-way race could benefit his party, noting Gupta’s earlier strong showing. Kishor has described the outcome as a verdict on whether urban voters will back an alternative approach beyond the issues that shaped the 2025 election. JSP leader Kishor Kumar Munna said the BJP must address questions about candidate screening. Bankipur remains viewed as a secure urban BJP seat with a largely upper-caste electorate and many government offices. For the BJP, keeping the constituency carries both electoral and symbolic weight. For Kishor, a solid result would demonstrate broader appeal in urban areas. The RJD sees a possible opening if BJP support fragments.
