Abhishek Banti Quits Bankipur By‑Poll Race, BJP Seeks New Candidate

Abhishek Kumar Banti, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate for the Bankipur assembly by‑poll, has officially withdrawn from the contest. He presented a written withdrawal to BJP state president Sanjay Sarawgi, invoking family considerations as the motive behind his decision. The withdrawal came just one day after Banti lodged his nomination, prompting political analysts to question the implications for the party’s prospects in the constituency. The BJP is now on the hunt for an alternative candidate, while Jan Suraj Party’s Prashant Kishore will be contesting the seat for the first time.