BJP’s Candidate Shuffle Alters Banki Pur Contest Ahead of By-election

Patna, July 10 – A sudden change in candidature has reshaped the dynamics of the Banki Pur assembly by‑election. Originally, the Bharatiya Janata Party had slated Abhishek Kumar as its candidate, but he withdrew after citing family considerations and formally notified state president Sanjay Sarawgi.

In response, the party introduced Niroj Kumar Sinha as the new nominee. Niroj, born on 1 July 1994 in Patna to the late Yuga Kumar and Saroj Devi, lives in Meethapur, holds a BA degree, and remains unmarried. His political résumé includes joining the BJP in 2006, serving as booth president, district vice‑president of the BJP Youth Wing, and twice as mandal president before assuming the current role of Narendra Bharti Mandal president.

His uncle, the late Narendra Bharti, was a Jan Sangh activist; after his death in 1984, the local division was renamed in his honor. The BJP’s decision to place an experienced party functionary on the ballot underscores its focus on organisational strength.

The revised lineup now pits BJP’s Niroj Kumar Sinha against RJD’s Rekha Gupta and Jan Suraj’s candidate Prashant Kishor. Political observers suggest that the swap could intensify competition, turning the by‑election into a closely watched contest.