BJP Fires Back at RJD-Congress Allegations Over Sudden Candidate Switch and Age Discrepancy Row
The political temperature in Bihar has hit boiling point ahead of the crucial Bankipur assembly by-election. Following a dramatic candidate substitution by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a fierce war of words has broken out between the ruling coalition and the opposition alliance. BJP State President Sanjay Saraogi launched a scathing counter-attack against the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, dismissing their allegations regarding the previous candidate's family background and the new candidate's age discrepancy as pure political desperation. Saraogi asserted that the opposition is suffering from immense restlessness as the BJP gears up for a landslide victory.
The Fodder Scam Controversy: BJP Clarifies Abhishek Kumar Bunty's Sudden Nomination Withdrawal
The political controversy erupted when the initial BJP nominee, Abhishek Kumar Bunty—who was officially declared as the candidate on Thursday, July 9—abruptly withdrew his nomination on Friday, July 10. Seizing the opportunity, the Congress party quickly alleged that the BJP was forced to alter its strategy because Bunty’s parents had direct links to the notorious fodder scam and held active convictions. Vehemently refuting these claims, BJP State President Sanjay Saraogi stated that Bunty's decision was entirely driven by personal family reasons, adding that only the leader himself could elaborate on those private matters, effectively slamming the opposition for politicizing personal choices.
RJD Raises Red Flag Over Age: How Can a 12-Year-Old Join the Party?
Adding fuel to the electoral fire, RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari leveled serious administrative allegations against the newly announced BJP candidate, Neeraj Sinha. Tiwari pointed out a major anomaly in the official bio-data circulated by the saffron party, which lists Sinha’s birth year as 1994 while simultaneously stating that he officially joined the party ranks in 2006. The RJD spokesperson mockingly questioned what kind of political game the BJP was playing by enrolling 12-year-old children into its organizational framework, demanding immediate clarification from the election commission and the ruling party.
Public Domain Validation: Sanjay Saraogi Promises Full Transparency on July 13 Nomination
Responding directly to the RJD's arithmetic challenge, Sanjay Saraogi maintained an unbothered stance, announcing that Neeraj Sinha will formally file his nomination papers on Monday, July 13. He assured the public and the media that all legal paperwork, educational certificates, and age affidavits will be placed completely in the public domain for scrutiny. Saraogi reiterated that because the Grand Alliance is staring at an embarrassing defeat in the upcoming voting rounds, they are resorting to speaking absolute nonsense to stay relevant in the media space.
The Bankipur Electoral Roadmap: Key Dates to Keep an Eye On
As the high-stakes constituency prepares for a thrilling showdown, the Election Commission has locked in the final operational timelines. Following the intense candidate reshuffle, the ground campaigns from both sides are expected to accelerate dramatically after the July 13 nomination deadline. According to the official notification, voting for the Bankipur assembly by-election will be conducted on July 30, 2026, while the final counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on August 3, 2026, permanently deciding the balance of power in this regional stronghold.
