Bankipur Bypoll: Prashant Kishor Alleges Bihar Police Detained Jan Suraaj Supporters Before Voting

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor accused Bihar Police of detaining his supporters ahead of the Bankipur bypoll, alleging the BJP was using the administration to influence the election.

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor (Img: Pinterest)

New Delhi: Several hours before voting began in the Bankipur Assembly bypoll of Bihar, Prashant Kishor of the Jan Suraaj Party accused the Bihar Police of arresting a few of his party workers. He accused the ruling BJP of interfering in the process of the bypoll by making political use of the incident.

Prashant Kishor Stays at Police Station

For several hours, Kishor stayed at the Jakkanpur police station of Patna after coming to know that a few of his party workers have been taken into custody. While speaking to the media persons, he said that more than 16 workers of the Jan Suraaj Party have been arrested, but the police could not provide any information regarding their location.

He added that the arrested people have been moved to various police stations and there is no official reason given for their arrest.

Accusations of BJP Misusing Administrative Mechanisms

The leader of Jan Suraaj blamed the BJP party for using the administration, including the police, to undermine his movement prior to voting. It is reported that, according to Kishor, the party expected to lose the Bankipur by-election and resorted to administrative methods to ensure that his voters would not be able to participate in the voting.

Moreover, he mentioned that police had the right to hold people in custody for up to 24 hours without showing them to a magistrate and said that this rule was abused until polls were conducted.

Accusation Against SHO of Threats to Party Members

Furthermore, Kishor blamed the Station House Officer at the Jakkanpur police station of threatening him and his voters during an altercation. It was stated that one of his workers was reportedly threatened by the officer about being charged according to the Bihar prohibition act.

The chief of Jan Suraaj mentioned that he will file a complaint against the police officers after the bypoll process ends.

Bypoll in Bankipur Features High-Profile Tussle

The need for the Bankipur Assembly by-election became a reality after the resignation of BJP legislator Nitin Nabin. Although there are 26 candidates who are fighting the by-election, the entire election is being viewed as a direct face-off between Prashant Kishor and BJP's Neeraj Kumar Sinha.

No comment had been made by the Bihar Police on the allegations raised by Kishor.