Chirag Paswan meets BJP chief Nitin Nabin in Patna after Bankipur campaign
Synopsis
With Bankipur's campaign clock at zero, Chirag Paswan and BJP chief Nitin Nabin held a closed-door review at Nabin's Patna home — no statement, no cameras. The seat is vacant because Nabin himself moved to the Rajya Sabha, making this a direct test of whether the NDA can hold a constituency its own president once occupied.
Key Takeaways
Chirag Paswan and BJP National President Nitin Nabin met at Nabin's Patna residence on 28 July after the close of Bankipur campaigning.
The two leaders reportedly reviewed the electoral scenario ahead of 30 July polling; no official statement was issued.
Both leaders campaigned for NDA candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha across Bankipur constituency on Tuesday.
The by-election was triggered after Nitin Nabin resigned from the Assembly upon his election to the Rajya Sabha .
Vote counting is scheduled for 3 August .
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) National President Chirag Paswan met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin at the latter's residence in Patna on Tuesday evening, 28 July, hours after both leaders wrapped up an intensive campaign blitz for the Bankipur Assembly by-election. The closed-door meeting, according to sources, centred on a review of the electoral situation ahead of polling on 30 July.
The Post-Campaign Meeting
Neither Paswan nor Nabin addressed the media after the meeting, and no official statement was issued on what was discussed. The huddle came at the close of the final day of campaigning, signalling that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leadership was taking stock of ground-level sentiment before votes are cast. This is the kind of last-mile coordination that has become a hallmark of NDA's Bihar playbook in recent electoral cycles.
Chirag Paswan's Campaign Trail
Earlier in the day, Chirag Paswan held roadshows and addressed a series of public meetings across the Bankipur constituency in support of the NDA-backed BJP candidate, Neeraj Kumar Sinha. Speaking at a rally in Dujra locality, Paswan urged voters to press the button next to the Lotus symbol on polling day.
'The enthusiasm, confidence, and overwhelming support shown by the people indicate that the resolve to make the Lotus bloom once again in Bankipur has become even stronger,' Paswan said.
At a subsequent public meeting in Chandpur Bela, he appealed specifically to women and youth to turn out in large numbers. 'Every vote will strengthen the resolve to build a developed Bankipur and a developed Bihar under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary,' he added.
What BJP's Nitin Nabin Said
BJP National President Nitin Nabin also addressed campaign gatherings in the constituency and expressed strong confidence in the NDA's prospects. 'The enthusiasm shown by the people of Bankipur makes it clear that they stand firmly with the politics of development, good governance, and public service,' Nabin said.
He further stated: 'I am fully confident that the affection and blessings the people of Bankipur have always bestowed upon me will now be extended to Neeraj Kumar Sinha, who will continue this journey of public service and development with dedication.'
Why the Bankipur Seat Fell Vacant
The Bankipur by-election was necessitated after Nitin Nabin vacated the Assembly seat following his election to the Rajya Sabha. The constituency, which falls within Patna, has historically been a prestige seat for the BJP in Bihar. Polling is scheduled for 30 July, with vote counting set for 3 August.
What Happens Next
With campaigning now concluded, all eyes turn to voter turnout on 30 July. The result, expected on 3 August, will be read as an early indicator of NDA cohesion in Bihar — particularly the LJP (Ram Vilas)-BJP alliance dynamic — ahead of the next state assembly cycle.
Point of View
But the Bankipur seat carries unusual symbolic weight — it is the constituency that Nabin himself held before moving to the Rajya Sabha. A loss here would embarrass the BJP chief personally and raise questions about LJP (Ram Vilas)'s mobilisation value in urban Patna. The NDA's confident public posture masks what is, in effect, a prestige contest. Bihar's electoral arithmetic is always delicate; how this by-election result is read in Patna and Delhi will shape alliance calculus well before the next assembly cycle.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Bankipur Assembly by-election take place?
The Bankipur seat fell vacant after BJP National President Nitin Nabin resigned from the Bihar Legislative Assembly following his election to the Rajya Sabha. A by-election was subsequently scheduled, with polling on 30 July and counting on 3 August.
Who is the NDA candidate in the Bankipur by-election?
The NDA has fielded Neeraj Kumar Sinha as its BJP candidate for the Bankipur Assembly by-election. Both Chirag Paswan and Nitin Nabin campaigned extensively for him on 28 July.
What did Chirag Paswan say during the Bankipur campaign?
Chirag Paswan urged voters — particularly women and youth — to turn out in large numbers and support the BJP candidate by pressing the Lotus symbol button. He said the public's enthusiasm showed that 'the resolve to make the Lotus bloom once again in Bankipur has become even stronger.'
What was discussed at the Paswan-Nabin meeting on 28 July?
According to sources, the two leaders reviewed the electoral scenario ahead of the 30 July polling. No official statement was released and neither leader spoke to the media after the meeting.
When will the Bankipur by-election result be declared?
Votes will be counted on 3 August 2025, two days after polling on 30 July.
