New Delhi, Nov. 1 – A worker was killed in a clash between supporters of rival political parties in Mokama, just days before Bihar’s upcoming assembly elections. The death of Dularchand Yadav, a local politician with ties to former chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and current chief minister Nitish Kumar, brings fresh anger and echoes the state’s violent past.
Yadav’s murder was the latest flare‑up in an area that had recently reported progress in governance and development. His victims were caught up in a fight as supporters of Jan Suraaj candidate Priyadarshi Piyush clashed with followers of the Janata Dal (United) nominee, Anant Singh. Family members of Yadav’s uncle accuse Singh of the killing, but Anant Singh denies the charge.
Both men file dozens of criminal cases. Yadav had 11 cases on record—including murder, kidnapping, extortion, forgery and illegal firearms—while Singh faces at least 28, covering murder, attempted murder, criminal intimidation and riots, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms and Bihar Election Watch. Singh, who owned over 100 crore rupees in assets and more than 25 crore in liabilities, once won the Mokama seat in 2005 and again in 2020 from jail, but was later disqualified in 2022 for a conviction under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He is contesting again after a Patna High Court acquitted him.
The election also sees RJD’s Veena Devi, wife of former member Surajbhan Singh who was disqualified for a murder conviction, vying for a seat. Her earlier stint in the Lok Sabha and enduring political influence in the region make her a notable contender.
This violence is a stark reminder of Bihar’s “jungle raaj” era of the early 1990s, when caste clashes and criminalized politics dominated the headlines. The Lalu‑Prasad regime promised social justice for lower castes, but critics say it also opened the door to organized crime and uneven application of law. Official crime data from 2001‑2022 show 71,000 murder cases in Bihar, peaking at 3,948 in 2004 under the RJD‑led coalition.
Earlier this year, Bihar has seen a surge in violent incidents. A patient was killed inside a Patna hospital, a businessman died in a street brawl, and other attacks took place in Sitamarhi and Chapra. The pattern suggests that despite promises of reform, political rivalry remains a driver of violence in the state.
With the assembly election looming, voters in Mokama and across Bihar face a tense decision: to elect leaders who promise progress or those whose records are marred by crime and past controversies. The recent clash underscores how deeply politics and violence are entangled in Bihar’s current election battle.
Source: ianslive
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