State Bureau, Patna: Ahead of the much-hyped Bankipur Assembly by-election scheduled on July 30, an internal rift has surfaced within the Bihar Congress. While some of the regional leaders suggested supporting the RJD candidate, the others objected by pointing out that the opposition should have contested together. Earlier, Jan Suraaj announced that its founder Prashant Kishor will contest from Bankipur, a seat dominated by the BJP for decades.

RJD Fields Its Candidate 

Earlier, the reports suggested that the opposition parties, including the Tejashwi Yadav-led RJD and Congress, would extend their support to Kishor. However, the RJD on Monday announced Rekha Kumari as its candidate for the by-poll, refuting such claims. With its announcement, Congress was left divided over its decision to support the RJD candidate or Kishor.

Apart from this, the state Congress leadership had previously expressed its desire to contest the Bankipur seat to the party high command. However, it also clarified that the cadre would support the RJD candidate if the high command takes a decision in the interest of the alliance.

ALSO READ: Prashant Kishore To Make Poll Debut As Jan Suraaj Names Him Bankipur Assembly Byelection Candidate

Senior Leader Raises Objection 

Amid the confusion over the party's stance, senior Congress leader Rishi Mishra stated that the opposition should have fielded a common candidate to defeat the BJP candidate in Bankipur. He further stated that the opposition parties should have supported Kishor if he had decided to contest the polls.

However, Congress media department head Rajesh Rathod clarified that this was Mishra's personal opinion and had no connection with the decision of the party. However, a section of Congress workers came in support of Mishra by alleging that the party should have supported Kishor.

ALSO READ: 'Only Jan Suraaj Can Defeat BJP In...': Prashant Kishor Eyes Seat Vacated By Nitin Nabin After Bihar Poll Decable

Prashant Kishor has decided to contest the by-poll after refusing to contest during the assembly election last year. The Bankipur seat was vacated after Nitin Nabin was appointed as the national president of the BJP and was later elected to the Rajya Sabha. The saffron party is yet to announce its candidate against Kishor.