Bankipur by-election: RLJP fields Tanveer Alam, contest turns multi-cornered
Synopsis
The Bankipur Assembly by-election is turning into Bihar's most-watched mini-contest of 2025 — with the RLJP's Tanveer Alam now joining the BJP, RJD, and Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj in a four-way fight for a seat vacated by a BJP MP elevated to the Rajya Sabha. Polling is on 30 July.
Key Takeaways
RLJP has officially fielded Tanveer Alam for the Bankipur Assembly by-election , with the symbol handed over on 7 July 2025 .
Prince Paswan , RLJP National Working President, presented the election symbol at the party's Patna office.
The seat fell vacant after BJP's Nitin Nabin was elected to the Rajya Sabha .
Other candidates in the fray: Abhishek Kumar Sinha (BJP), Prashant Kishor (Jan Suraaj), and Rekha Gupta (RJD).
Polling for the Bankipur by-election is scheduled for 30 July .
The Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) has officially named Tanveer Alam as its candidate for the Bankipur Assembly by-election in Patna, intensifying what is already shaping up as one of Bihar's most competitive seat contests ahead of polling on 30 July. The party formally handed over its election symbol to Alam at its Patna office on Tuesday, 7 July, clearing the path for him to file his nomination.
Symbol Handed Over at Patna Office
At the RLJP's Patna headquarters, the party's National Working President and former MP Prince Paswan presented the official election symbol to Alam in the presence of senior party leaders and workers. Paswan felicitated the candidate with a bouquet and extended his best wishes for the campaign ahead.
Alam, after receiving the symbol, thanked RLJP National President Pashupati Kumar Paras and Working President Prince Paswan for placing their trust in him. He said he would contest with a commitment to public service, development, and earning the confidence of Bankipur's voters.
Who Is Tanveer Alam
Senior RLJP leaders described Alam as an active social worker with strong grassroots connect among local residents. The party expressed confidence that his candidature would inject fresh energy into its campaign. Party workers resolved to launch an immediate door-to-door outreach drive following the formal announcement.
Why the Seat Fell Vacant
The Bankipur Assembly seat fell vacant after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nitin Nabin was elected to the Rajya Sabha, triggering the by-election. The constituency, located in the heart of Patna, has historically been a high-stakes urban seat.
A Crowded, Competitive Field
The BJP has fielded Abhishek Kumar Sinha, while Jan Suraaj — the political outfit founded by poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor — has nominated Kishor himself, marking a significant personal electoral debut. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has entered the contest with Rekha Gupta as its candidate.
With the RLJP now in the fray, the Bankipur by-election has evolved into a genuine multi-cornered battle, testing the organisational strength of each party in an urban Bihar constituency. The outcome on 30 July will be closely watched as an indicator of ground-level political equations ahead of the next Bihar assembly cycle.
Point of View
Defending a seat its own MP vacated carries reputational weight. The RJD's presence signals that the opposition is not conceding urban Patna by default. How vote-shares fragment here will offer an early read on Bihar's pre-assembly alignment.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the RLJP fielded for the Bankipur by-election?
The RLJP has nominated Tanveer Alam, described by the party as an active social worker with strong local connect. The election symbol was formally handed to him on 7 July 2025 at the party's Patna office.
Why is the Bankipur Assembly seat going to a by-election?
The seat fell vacant after BJP leader Nitin Nabin was elected to the Rajya Sabha, necessitating a by-election. Polling is scheduled for 30 July.
Who are the other candidates contesting the Bankipur by-election?
The BJP has fielded Abhishek Kumar Sinha, Jan Suraaj has nominated its founder Prashant Kishor, and the RJD has fielded Rekha Gupta. The RLJP's Tanveer Alam makes it a four-way contest.
What is Jan Suraaj and why is Prashant Kishor's candidacy significant?
Jan Suraaj is a political outfit founded by poll strategist Prashant Kishor. His candidacy in Bankipur marks his first direct electoral contest, making it one of the most closely watched aspects of the by-election.
When is the Bankipur by-election polling date?
Polling for the Bankipur Assembly by-election is scheduled for 30 July 2025.
