With campaigning entering its final phase ahead of the Bankipur Assembly by-election in Bihar, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has intensified its efforts by bringing senior leader Nitish Kumar into the campaign, signalling the importance the alliance is placing on retaining the prestigious urban constituency.
In a video message released on Tuesday, Kumar urged voters to support NDA candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha, highlighting the alliance’s governance record and calling on the electorate to strengthen the development agenda by voting in favour of the ruling coalition.
Nitish Seeks Public Support for NDA Candidate
Addressing voters, Nitish Kumar said the NDA government had worked for years to improve governance and development in Bihar and appealed to residents of Bankipur to continue supporting that journey.
He asked voters to cast their ballots in favour of the BJP-led alliance’s nominee, saying every vote would play an important role in carrying forward the state’s development initiatives.
Prestigious Seat Witnesses High-Profile Contest
The by-election has attracted significant political attention after Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor entered the race, turning what was once considered a comfortable contest for the BJP into a closely watched political battle.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has also stepped up its campaign, making the contest triangular and increasing the political stakes for all major parties.
Seat Vacated After Nitin Nabin’s Rajya Sabha Move
The bypoll became necessary after five-time BJP MLA Nitin Nabin vacated the Bankipur seat following his election to the Rajya Sabha and his appointment as the BJP’s national president.
Although no longer contesting from the constituency, Nabin has remained actively involved in the campaign, participating in public meetings and voter outreach programmes to mobilise support for Neeraj Kumar Sinha.
BJP Deploys Top Leaders as Campaign Gains Momentum
To reinforce its campaign, the NDA has fielded several senior leaders, including Union ministers and prominent BJP faces, who have been addressing rallies and meeting voters across the constituency.
The alliance is presenting the bypoll as an endorsement of its governance model, while the opposition is attempting to convert the election into a referendum on the state government’s performance.
Prashant Kishor Emerges as Key Challenger
Prashant Kishor has mounted an intensive campaign, focusing on issues such as governance, employment, corruption and law and order. His extensive outreach in the constituency over the past several months has added a new dimension to the contest and forced the BJP to strengthen its campaign strategy.
Political observers believe that while Bankipur has traditionally remained a BJP stronghold, the presence of Kishor has made the electoral contest considerably more competitive than initially anticipated.
