India, July 12 -- The prestige of the BJP and the respective state Chief Ministers is at stake in the upcoming by-elections in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. While by-elections are usually seen as a test of the state government's reputation, recent developments in both states have drawn nationwide attention to these seats. This is particularly true for the Bankipur by-election in Bihar, where the manner in which the BJP changed its candidate within 24 hours has raised several questions.

The party initially had Abhishek Kumar Sinha file his nomination, only for him to withdraw it within a day, citing personal reasons. Following Abhishek's withdrawal, the party fielded Neeraj Kumar Sinha. This seat fell vacant after the resignation of the incum...