BJP swaps Bankipur nominee ahead of high-profile bypoll featuring Prashant Kishor

The BJP on Friday replaced its candidate for the Bankipur assembly bypoll, a closely watched contest that will see the NDA take on veteran poll strategist and Jan Suraaj Party leader Prashant Kishor among other candidates, after its original nominee Abhishek Kumar Sinha withdrew his candidature days after announcing his nomination, citing family reasons.

The saffron party had announced Sinha, a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader, as its candidate on Tuesday for the bypoll, which was necessitated by the resignation of BJP national president Nitin Nabin from the assembly seat.

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Addressing a press conference, Sinha said, "The BJP had made me the NDA candidate for the bypoll to the Bankipur assembly seat. I express my gratitude to the central and state leadership. However, due to family reasons, I am unable to contest the bypoll."

He said he had informed Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi of his decision.

Soon after, the BJP announced 32-year-old Neeraj Kumar Sinha as its new nominee for the July 30 bypoll.

According to the party, Neeraj Kumar Sinha has been associated with the BJP since 2006 and has served as a booth president and district vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

The Bankipur bypoll has attracted political attention as it is set to witness a contest involving Prashant Kishor as the candidate and his Jan Suraaj Party, which is seeking to expand its footprint in Bihar ahead of the state assembly elections.

The last date for filing nominations is July 13. Voting will take place on July 30 and the counting of votes is scheduled for August 3.