BJP replaces Bihar's Bankipur bypoll candidate: What forced the saffron party to change its nominee hours after filing nomination?

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) changed its candidate for the upcoming Bankipur Assembly bypoll on Friday after its original nominee, Abhishek Kumar Sinha, withdrew from the contest, citing "family reasons," as reported by TOI.

Soon after his announcement, the BJP's central election committee named 32-year-old Neeraj Kumar Sinha as the party's new candidate for the bypoll.

The development prompted opposition parties to allege that the BJP was concerned about its prospects in the election for the seat vacated by BJP national president Nitin Nabin.

Why Abhishek Kumar Sinha withdrew from the Bankipur bypoll

Addressing a press conference, Abhishek Kumar Sinha said he would not contest the bypoll because of family reasons but would continue to work for the party.

"Because of family reasons, I am unable to contest the bypoll. But I will continue to work for the party as a committed worker. I have conveyed the same to state president Sanjay Saraogi," he said without taking questions.

According to a TOI report, quoting PTI sources, his announcement came shortly after a meeting of the BJP-led NDA at Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary's residence.

The report, citing BJP sources speaking anonymously, said the decision may have been influenced by "negative inputs" about the candidate. The sources claimed that a close family member of Abhishek Kumar Sinha had been convicted in the fodder scam, and the party was concerned that Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor could raise the issue during the campaign.

Opposition attacks BJP over candidate change

Prashant Kishor, who is expected to file his nomination papers on Monday, has been campaigning in Bankipur and urging voters to express their dissatisfaction with the BJP through the bypoll.

Responding to the candidate change, Kishor said he was unaware of the NDA meeting but claimed the BJP was "scared of the public anger" rather than him.

He also alleged that the move amounted to an admission that the BJP fields "corrupt people".

RJD spokesperson Shakti Yadav alleged that Abhishek Kumar Sinha had been forced to withdraw by the BJP high command rather than stepping aside voluntarily.

Congress spokesperson Asit Nath Tiwari claimed that Nitin Nabin had backed one of his close associates for the ticket but was overruled after intervention by the party leadership.

Bankipur Assembly bypoll polling and counting dates

The Bankipur Assembly bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of Nitin Nabin.

Polling is scheduled to be held on July 30, while the counting of votes will take place on August 3.

(With input from TOI)