New Delhi: Criminals and musclemen have always dominated Bihar politics. Many politicians have sought the support of convicted individuals to enhance their political standing. Now, as assembly elections are approaching once again, the terror of musclemen following the Dularchand Yadav murder case in Mokama has raised concerns. The issue of giving tickets to criminals has become a hot topic in Bihar polls after this incident.
The JDU has given a ticket to Anant Singh from Mokama assembly seat, while RJD has given ticket to Veena Devi, wife of muscleman Suraj Bhan Singh. Jansuraj has fielded Piyush Priyadarshi from this seat. Dularchand Yadav was campaigning in support of Jansuraj’s Piyush Priyadarshi.
On October 30, at around 3 pm, a clash took place between the convoy of JDU candidate Anant Singh and the supporters of Piyush Priyadarshi between Tartar village and a place called Basavanchak. Following this, the dead body of Dularchand Yadav was found. Anant Singh blamed Suraj Bhan Singh for the murder.
The incident has revived memories of the 1990s, when such strongmen ruled with violence along the banks of the Ganga. It is said that Dularchand Yadav was once close to both Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Earlier, BJP leader and former Union Minister R.K. Singh previously appealed to the public not to vote for corrupt or criminal candidates, even if they belong to his own caste. If all candidates are criminals or corrupt, press the NOTA button.
In this election, the Mahagathbandhan has fielded more candidates with serious criminal convictions than the NDA.
According to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Bihar Election Watch, out of 1,303 candidates contesting 121 Assembly seats in the first phase, 423 (32%) have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 354 (27%) face charges of serious criminal offences. These include 33 accused of murder, 86 of attempted murder, 42 of crimes against women, and 2 of rape.
Among the Grand Alliance parties, 42 of 70 (60%) RJD candidates, 12 of 23 (52%) Congress candidates, 9 of 14 (64%) CPI(ML) candidates, 4 of 5 (80%) CPI candidates, and all 3 (100%) CPI(M) candidates face serious criminal charges. Within the NDA, 15 of 57 (26%) JD(U) candidates, 27 of 48 (56%) BJP candidates, and 5 of 13 (38%) LJP (Ram Vilas) candidates face similar cases.
Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party has 49 of 114 (43%) candidates with serious criminal cases, while 16 of 89 (18%) BSP and 9 of 44 (20%) AAP candidates fall into the same category. Overall, 76% of RJD, 39% of JD(U), 65% of BJP, 65% of Congress, 93% of CPI(ML), 54% of LJP (Ram Vilas), and 100% each of CPI and CPI(M) candidates have declared criminal cases against them. For Jan Suraj, 44%, for BSP 20%, and for AAP 27% of candidates face criminal charges.
In such a situation, the Mokama killing has raised serious questions about the police administration and the Election Commission’s ability to ensure violence-free polls in areas dominated by musclemen. Will the voters of Bihar rise above caste loyalties and choose a government free from crime and corruption — for the sake of a safer and better future for themselves and their children? That remains the big question.
