Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishore alleged that police detained more than 16 party leaders and workers ahead of the Bankipur Assembly by-election, accusing the BJP-led government of using the police to harass his party. Expressing "200 per cent" confidence in victory

Several Jan Suraaj leaders, including former Bihar Assembly election candidates KC Sinha and Ritesh Ranjan alias Bittu Singh, joined the BJP ahead of the July 30 Bankipur assembly bypoll, in a setback for party founder Prashant Kishor.