Why Did Abhishek Banti Withdraw? Family Reasons and Past Scandal Surface

Abhishek Banti, who was initially fielded by the BJP for the Bankipur by‑election, announced his withdrawal on a Friday, citing personal and family reasons. Shortly after his exit, the Jan Suraj Party (JSP) alleged that Banti’s father was among the 75 individuals convicted in the infamous “Chara” scam case, a judgement that was confirmed by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) press release dated 15 February 2022.

While the BJP has not addressed the JSP’s accusations, the party’s silence has fueled speculation. The CBI’s earlier statement listed several high‑profile figures, including Ramesh Prasad and Lalu Yadav, among those found guilty. The timing of Banti’s withdrawal, combined with these allegations, has intensified the scrutiny on the BJP’s candidate selection process in the constituency.