Prashant Kishor Accuses Bihar CM Of Misusing Govt Machinery

Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj Party, has accused Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary of misusing government machinery in the Bankipur by-poll.

Kishor made these allegations a day before the counting of votes, claiming that the CM, along with the BJP and local police administration, orchestrated systemic electoral malpractice.

He drew a contrast between the current CM and his predecessor Nitish Kumar, who he said never misused government machinery to win an election in 20 years.

Kishor claimed that he would emerge victorious in the electoral fray, which would force the present CM to quit his post.

He also questioned the role of the administration in the Bankipur by-election, alleging that the police arrested his party's local leaders at the behest of the BJP.

The Jan Suraaj founder demanded action against the Patna SSP, who he claimed was involved in the detention of his party's leaders.

Kishor had a heated argument with City Superintendent of Police Mamta Kalyani near Golghar, and alleged that the police detained his supporters and polling agents without reason.

Earlier, he had alleged that the police detained more than 20 Jan Suraaj leaders and workers from Tuesday evening until late at night.

The detained leaders were first kept at different police stations and later taken to Danapur, before being shifted again to Shahpur police station.

Kishor claimed that the police neither formally recorded their detention nor explained the charges on which they were being detained.

He alleged that the police were functioning like a political party and were trying to keep Jan Suraaj workers away from election activities to help the BJP and the state government.

The by-election was necessitated after BJP national president Nitin Nabin vacated the seat following his election to Rajya Sabha.

The main contest is among BJP's Neeraj Kumar Sinha, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, and Congress-backed RJD candidate Rekha Gupta.

A total voter turnout of 34.30 percent was recorded in the by-election.

The allegations of electoral malpractice have raised questions about the fairness of the election process in Bihar.

The outcome of the by-election will be closely watched, as it could have implications for the state government and the opposition parties.

The incident highlights the need for free and fair elections, and the importance of ensuring that the electoral process is not influenced by the ruling party or the government machinery.