A political firestorm has erupted in Bihar following the violent death of a campaign worker in the Mokama area, with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav launching a sharp attack on the state administration and the Election Commission, questioning the law and order situation under the NDA government.
The controversy stems from the death of Dular Chand Yadav, a supporter of the Jan Suraaj Party, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the Mokama Taal area on Thursday. The incident occurred amid heightened political campaigning for the ongoing Bihar polls.
While police officials have stated that the exact cause of death is yet to be determined, locals and the Jan Suraaj Party have alleged that the activist was shot dead during a clash between supporters of rival candidates. The party is led by former IAS officer Akhand Pratap Singh.
Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya K Sharma confirmed that the police received information about a death during a campaign but noted, "The exact cause of the incident is not known yet, as the body has not been handed over to the police." He added that allegations of a shooting are being investigated from all angles.
Tejashwi Yadav's Strong Reaction
Reacting strongly to the incident on Friday, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav expressed shock and outrage, demanding accountability from the authorities.
"We are surprised how can a 40-vehicle convoy go about with weapons? What is the EC doing? What is the administration doing? What action has been taken so far?...Who is protecting goons?" Yadav questioned.
He emphasized that there should be no place for violence in a democracy, especially when the Model Code of Conduct is in force. "How are people roaming free with guns during the campaign when the model code of conduct has already been imposed?" he asked, pointing a finger at the perceived administrative failure.
Yadav framed the incident as a direct indictment of the Nitish Kumar-led government's law and order record. "The murder of Dular Chand Yadav is a matter of serious concern. The incident puts a question mark on the law and order situation in the state," he stated.
He also took a direct jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi must see all these. He always talks about the NDA rule in Bihar. What 'raj' should it be called?"—a clear reference to the BJP's frequent criticism of the RJD's previous tenure as "Jungle Raj."
Jan Suraaj Party Alleges Hypocrisy
Echoing the political charge, the Jan Suraaj Party itself issued a statement claiming the "biggest irony is that all this was done at the behest of those who call themselves supporters of good governance and seek votes in the name of opposing jungle raj." This allegation insinuates the involvement of ruling coalition supporters in the violence.
Police Response and Investigation
In response to the volatile situation, the police have deployed a large number of security personnel in the Mokama area to prevent any further escalation. SSP Sharma assured that a thorough investigation is underway to uncover the truth behind the death of Dular Chand Yadav, who was campaigning for Jan Suraaj Party candidate Piyush Priyadarshi.
As the investigation continues, the incident has intensified the political slugfest in Bihar, with the opposition seizing the opportunity to question the ruling coalition's core campaign plank of providing a secure and well-governed state. The pressure is now on the Election Commission and the state administration to demonstrate that they have control over the situation and can ensure a violence-free electoral process.
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