Bankipur bypoll: NDA's Neeraj Kumar Sinha meets Nitish Kumar for blessings before nomination
Synopsis
With its first candidate having withdrawn citing family reasons, the NDA is projecting unity in Bankipur — fielding Neeraj Kumar Sinha and parading him before Nitish Kumar and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh ahead of his nomination on 13 July. The show of solidarity signals how seriously the alliance is treating this bypoll.
Key Takeaways
Neeraj Kumar Sinha , the NDA's Bankipur Assembly by-election candidate, met former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on 12 July to seek blessings.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and BJP state president Sanjay Sarawagi were present at the meeting.
Nitish Kumar advised Sinha to stay active among the public and work with a spirit of public service.
The BJP's original candidate, Abhishek Kumar , withdrew from the contest citing family reasons, leading to Sinha's nomination.
Sinha is expected to file his nomination papers on 13 July .
Neeraj Kumar Sinha, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the Bankipur Assembly by-election, called on former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday, 12 July, seeking his blessings ahead of filing his nomination papers. The meeting, held in Patna, signals the NDA's intent to project unity as it enters the electoral contest in the high-profile constituency.
Key Developments at the Meeting
State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Sanjay Sarawagi accompanied Sinha to the meeting. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh was also present, and the gathering served as a platform for senior NDA leaders to discuss poll strategy for Bankipur.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh extended his best wishes to Neeraj Sinha and expressed confidence that the NDA would contest the by-election with full strength and unity, ultimately securing victory in the constituency.
What Nitish Kumar Said
Former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar wished the BJP candidate well and advised him to remain consistently active among the public and work with a spirit of public service. He expressed hope that the NDA-backed candidate would win the public's trust and give fresh momentum to the development of Bankipur.
Sinha, in turn, said that the guidance and blessings of senior leaders would serve as a source of inspiration for him. He stated that if he receives the people's mandate, he will accord top priority to Bankipur's development, expansion of basic infrastructure, strengthening of civic amenities, and resolution of local issues.
NDA Alliance Stands United
State BJP chief Sanjay Sarawagi affirmed that the NDA alliance was solidly behind Neeraj Kumar Sinha with full unity. He expressed confidence that the public would place their trust in the NDA candidate, citing the development work undertaken by the 'double engine' dispensation in Bihar.
Background: How Neeraj Sinha Became the NDA Pick
Notably, the BJP had initially named Abhishek Kumar as its candidate for the Bankipur by-election. However, Abhishek Kumar subsequently announced his decision not to contest, citing family reasons, prompting the party to field Neeraj Kumar Sinha in his place. Sinha is expected to file his nomination papers on 13 July.
The Bankipur bypoll is being closely watched as a test of NDA cohesion in Bihar ahead of the state's broader electoral cycle, with the alliance keen to demonstrate that its partnership remains intact on the ground.
Point of View
A senior Union Minister, and the state BJP chief all assembled before Nitish Kumar — is as much about optics as it is about politics. The NDA's need to publicly display unity in a single constituency bypoll suggests underlying pressure, particularly after its first candidate's abrupt withdrawal. In Bihar's coalition arithmetic, Nitish Kumar's visible endorsement remains a non-negotiable signal to the electorate, and the alliance knows it. Whether that goodwill translates to votes in Bankipur will be an early indicator of NDA's ground strength ahead of the next state cycle.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the NDA candidate for the Bankipur Assembly by-election?
Neeraj Kumar Sinha is the NDA candidate for the Bankipur Assembly by-election. He replaced the original BJP pick, Abhishek Kumar, who withdrew citing family reasons.
Why did Neeraj Kumar Sinha meet Nitish Kumar on 12 July?
Sinha visited former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to seek his blessings ahead of filing his nomination papers for the Bankipur bypoll. The meeting also included Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and BJP state president Sanjay Sarawagi.
When is Neeraj Kumar Sinha expected to file his nomination?
Sinha is expected to file his nomination papers on 13 July , a day after the courtesy visit to Nitish Kumar.
Why was the original BJP candidate replaced for the Bankipur bypoll?
The BJP's initial candidate, Abhishek Kumar , announced his decision not to contest the Bankipur by-election due to family reasons, after which the party fielded Neeraj Kumar Sinha.
What did Nitish Kumar say to the NDA candidate?
Nitish Kumar wished Neeraj Kumar Sinha well and advised him to remain consistently active among the public and work with a spirit of public service. He also expressed hope that the NDA candidate would win public trust and give new momentum to Bankipur's development.
