Tensions flared in Bihar’s Mokama area on Thursday after a Jan Suraaj Party supporter was found dead under mysterious circumstances, police said. The incident occurred amid an intensifying election campaign ahead of the November 6 polling in the region.
While police are yet to confirm the cause of death, locals claimed the supporter was shot dead during a clash between rival party workers. The deceased has been identified as Dular Chand Yadav, who was campaigning for Jan Suraaj Party’s Mokama candidate, Piyush Priyadarshi.
Police Await Post-Mortem
“Police received information that a supporter of a candidate died during the campaign in the Mokama Taal area. The exact cause of the incident is not known yet, as the body has not been handed over to the police,” Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma told PTI.
He said it would only become clear whether Yadav died of gunshot wounds or due to an accident after the police examine the body. “We will investigate the matter from all angles,” the SSP added, confirming that a large contingent of security personnel has been deployed in the area.
According to eyewitnesses, violence erupted between supporters of two political groups during campaigning in Mokama Taal. “Allegations are being levelled that the deceased was shot dead by supporters of his opponent’s party,” the SSP said.
Jan Suraaj Party Blames Rivals
Condemning the incident, Jan Suraaj Party state president Manoj Bharti accused rival political outfits of spreading fear and violence to influence the polls.
“The incident took place at the behest of those who seek votes by instilling fear of ‘jungle raj’. This is an assault on our democratic rights,” Bharti said in a statement. “Attacking candidates during their campaigns, firing bullets to show dominance, and running vehicles over supporters are heinous crimes.”
He also demanded swift police action, saying, “Every candidate has the right to carry out a public outreach programme. The Bihar Police must arrest the accused at the earliest and ensure the safety of all Jan Suraaj candidates.”
RJD Candidate’s Camp Trade Charges
The politically volatile Mokama seat has turned into a flashpoint between heavyweight candidates. JD(U) strongman Anant Singh is contesting the election, while the RJD has fielded Veena Devi, wife of former MP Suraj Bhaan Singh.
Reacting to the violence, Anant Singh denied any role in the incident and claimed his convoy came under attack instead. “I don’t know how it happened. My convoy was attacked by my opponents when we were campaigning in the Mokama Taal area. I know that Suraj Bhaan Singh, husband of the RJD candidate, has been involved in this,” he said.
It is learnt that Dular Chand Yadav had earlier contested against Anant Singh as an independent candidate but lost. Police sources said Yadav was considered close to several top Bihar politicians.
Oppn Questions Law and Order
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav condemned the killing, questioning how firearms could be used so freely during election campaigning despite the Model Code of Conduct being in effect.
“The murder of Dular Chand Yadav is a matter of serious concern. How are people roaming free with guns during the campaign? This raises a serious question on the law and order situation in the state,” Tejashwi said. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi should see this. He always praises the NDA’s rule in Bihar, what kind of ‘raj’ is this?”
The Jan Suraaj Party also hit out at the ruling alliance, saying the violence was “the biggest irony.” “All this was done at the behest of those who claim to represent good governance and seek votes by opposing ‘jungle raj’,” the party said in a statement.