NEW DELHI: Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj and candidate for the Bankipur by-election, has accused officials of misusing police powers during the polling process, claiming that voters faced intimidation. Kishor stated that his party has filed formal complaints with both the Election Commission and police observers regarding these allegations.
The claims follow a formal complaint submitted by Kishor to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar, demanding an investigation into the actions of Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya K Sharma and other police personnel involved in the Bankipur by-elections.
Allegations and Complaints
In a statement to the press, Kishor asserted, “Police powers are being misused. The SSP attempted to sway the election and intimidate voters. We have lodged complaints with the Election Commission and police observers.” On Saturday, he guided a delegation from Jan Suraaj to the CEO’s office, delivering a memorandum that detailed alleged irregularities during the elections.
Kishor claimed that several of his party workers were detained without reasonable justification, asserting that police actions were decidedly biased throughout the electoral process.
Documentary Evidence Submitted
He also noted that documentary proof to support these allegations was provided to the Election Commission, with the CEO reportedly assuring the delegation that their complaints would be thoroughly investigated. This is a significant development as it underscores the tensions surrounding the election process in Bihar.
Context of the By-Poll
The Bankipur by-election was prompted by the resignation of BJP leader Nitin Nabin, who vacated the seat after being elected to the Rajya Sabha. This constituency has been a BJP stronghold for over 30 years and saw a competitive race amongst BJP’s Neeraj Kumar Sinha, Jan Suraaj’s Kishor, and RJD’s Rekha Gupta.
The voter turnout for the by-poll was recorded at 34.3%, with the counting of votes scheduled for August 3. Both Jan Suraaj and RJD have accused the BJP and the state administration of manipulating the electoral process throughout the campaign and polling day, while the BJP has dismissed these accusations, countering that Jan Suraaj members attempted to engage in fraudulent voting.
