Bankipur bypoll: Scuffle erupts between BJP and Jan Suraaj workers; police intervene

Patna, July 30 (AHN) Tensions flared during polling for the Bankipur Assembly by-election in Patna district on Thursday after a scuffle broke out between supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Jan Suraaj near polling booths in Kidwaipuri.

Police personnel deployed at the spot intervened and brought the situation under control.

The altercation took place outside polling booths 101, 102, and 103 in Kidwaipuri.

Jan Suraaj workers alleged that former BJP candidate Bunty was attempting to influence voters through intimidation at the polling station.

BJP has not publicly responded to the allegation, and it has not been independently verified.

Police personnel present at the booths quickly stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating and dispersed supporters from both sides.

Polling continued after normalcy was restored.

The confrontation followed heightened political tensions on the eve of polling.

On Wednesday night, the Patna Police and the Special Task Force (STF) detained around 20 leaders and workers of the Jan Suraaj Party.

According to police, the detained individuals were allegedly attempting to create disturbances and spread rumours ahead of the election.

The specific allegations have not yet been detailed publicly.

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

Addressing the media, Prashant Kishor accused the government of acting out of panic.

He said that if any Jan Suraaj worker had committed an offence, police should register a case and proceed according to law, but questioned the detention of party workers without informing their families or colleagues about their whereabouts.

He further claimed that around 15 to 16 party leaders remained untraceable and warned that if police failed to disclose the grounds for their detention, questions could arise regarding the legality of the action.

Jan Suraaj National Spokesperson Kumar Saurav Singh and the party's Women's Wing President Pratibha Singh described the police action as one-sided, alleging that members of their party were being selectively targeted.

The party also claimed that police and STF teams continued to conduct raids in different parts of Patna.

These allegations have been made by Jan Suraaj, and the police have not publicly responded to each specific claim.

Polling in the Bankipur Assembly by-election, meanwhile, continued under heavy security arrangements, with election authorities monitoring the situation to ensure a peaceful and fair voting process.

Meanwhile, BJP National President Nitin Nabin appealed to voters through social media to participate in large numbers.

In his message, he said every vote was important for the future of Bankipur, Manjalpur, and Datiya, expressing confidence that voters would once again support the BJP's agenda of development, good governance, and public service.

He particularly urged youth and women to cast their votes and echoed the slogan, "Vote first, then have refreshments."