Prashant Kishor Says Bankipur Voters Will Reject BJP, Alleges Police Action Against Jan Suraaj

Patna, July 2026 : Jan Suraaj founder and Bankipur Assembly bypoll candidate Prashant Kishor on Thursday claimed that voters in the constituency had already made up their minds to vote against the BJP, while alleging that police were taking one-sided action against his party workers to intimidate them during polling.

Kishor accused the police of detaining Jan Suraaj workers while allegedly allowing supporters of other political parties to operate freely. Speaking to reporters, he said the action had failed to discourage his party workers and would not affect the electorate’s decision.

“The police are taking one-sided action to intimidate Jan Suraaj workers. They are detaining our people, but it is having no impact. The public has already made up its mind to vote against the BJP this time,” Kishor said.

He maintained that Jan Suraaj was not afraid of police action and asserted that the party’s workers would continue their political activities despite the alleged attempts at intimidation.

Polling for the Bankipur Assembly by-election in Bihar, along with the Datia constituency in Madhya Pradesh and Manjalpur in Gujarat, began on Thursday amid extensive security arrangements.

Tensions were reported in Bankipur during polling after a scuffle broke out between supporters of the BJP and Jan Suraaj near polling booths in the Kidwaipuri area of Patna. Police personnel deployed at the location intervened promptly and brought the situation under control.

The confrontation took place outside polling booths 101, 102 and 103. Jan Suraaj workers alleged that former BJP candidate Bunty was attempting to intimidate voters and influence them at the polling station. The allegation has not been independently verified, and the BJP has not publicly responded to the charge.

Police dispersed supporters from both sides and ensured that polling resumed normally after the situation was brought under control.

The incident came a day after heightened political activity in the constituency. On Wednesday night, Patna Police and the Special Task Force detained around 20 Jan Suraaj leaders and workers.

According to police, those detained were allegedly attempting to create disturbances and spread rumours ahead of polling. Authorities, however, have not publicly provided detailed information about the specific allegations against the individuals.

Following the detentions, Kishor reached Jakkanpur police station late on Wednesday night along with party supporters and protested against the police action.

Addressing the media outside the police station, Kishor accused the government of acting out of panic and questioned the manner in which the detentions were carried out. He said that if any Jan Suraaj worker had committed an offence, the police should register a case and proceed according to law.

However, he questioned why party workers were allegedly being detained without their families or colleagues being informed about their whereabouts.

Kishor further claimed that around 15 to 16 Jan Suraaj leaders remained untraceable and warned that failure by the police to disclose the grounds for their detention could raise questions about the legality of the action.

With polling underway, the allegations and the confrontation in Kidwaipuri have added to the political tension surrounding the Bankipur by-election. Authorities have maintained heightened security to prevent further incidents and ensure the voting process proceeds peacefully.