Bankipur by-poll: NDA confident of victory, RJD calls for united fight against BJP candidate

New Delhi: With the high-stakes battle for Bankipur by-polls heating up, the leaders of warring alliances - NDA and INDIA bloc have started raising the pitch with 'victory prophecies' while those from Opposition calling for closing the ranks against the ruling party candidate. Many NDA leaders speaking to press, a day after BJP fielding its young candidate in the fray, exuded confidence over the upcoming Assembly by-election in Bihar, asserting that the BJP would register a comfortable victory in the constituency, a party stronghold for decades. JD(U) National Working President Sanjay Jha said the bypoll holds special significance for Bihar, noting that the constituency was earlier represented by a leader who has now become the national president of the BJP, referring to Nitin Nabin. "This is a very proud moment for the entire state of Bihar, especially for the voters of the Bankipur constituency, that their MLA or the Minister from there has become the National President of the biggest party in the country. And perhaps, this is the first time in the BJP that someone from Bihar has become the National President... Undoubtedly, the voters there will support the NDA with a very large margin," Jha said. Echoing similar confidence, BJP National Spokesperson Guru Prakash said the party enjoys a strong support base in the constituency and expected the bypoll to result in a decisive mandate. "This is not just an interesting contest; it will be a bumper victory. The people of Bankipur have consistently given their mandate and blessings to the Bharatiya Janata Party since 1995. No one should remain under any illusion..." he said. Meanwhile, RJD legislator Bhai Virendra has appealed for Opposition’s unity for defeating the ruling party’s nominee in its stronghold. “The ruling government effectively contests by-election. Everyone knows why the Bankipur Assembly seat fell vacant. I had appealed to all the Opposition parties to field a joint candidate against the NDA so that it could be defeated. If any party wants to pursue its own agenda or strategy, I have nothing to say about that,” said RJD MLA Bhai Virendra. The statements from the NDA leaders came a day after the BJP announced Abhishek Kumar as its official candidate for the Bankipur Assembly by-election. The party's Central Election Committee approved Kumar's candidature, with the announcement being made through a statement issued by BJP National General Secretary and headquarters in-charge Arun Singh. A close aide of BJP chief Nitin Nabin, Abhishek Kumar has been associated with the party organisation for several years. He previously served as the Vice-President of the BJP Yuva Morcha in the Bankipur region and has remained actively involved in organisational activities. The Bankipur Assembly constituency is one of Bihar's most prominent urban seats and has traditionally been regarded as a BJP bastion. The upcoming by-election is expected to attract significant political attention, with all major parties likely to mount an intensive campaign.