India, July 12 -- After BJP's original candidate, Abhishek Kumar Sinha alias Bunty, withdrew his nomination papers for the Bankipur assembly bypoll, his father has now said he did so "to protect the honour of his parents" who had been named in the infamous fodder scam of Bihar.

Although Bankipur has been a BJP stronghold, the party expects a tough contest this time with Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor entering the fray.

Ravindra Prasad, whose son on Friday announced that he was pulling out "because of family reasons" a day after filing nomination papers in the presence of leaders drawn from all NDA partners, clarified reasons to the media.

"Until Bunty took the decision, the atmosphere at our home was that of celebration. Now ...