Jan Suraaj alleges murder as worker dies in Bihar clash, parties trade blame

A Jan Suraaj Party worker was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Patna’s Mokama area today, 30 October, triggering a political storm in the middle of the high-octane Bihar election campaign.

Locals alleged that the worker, identified as Dular Chand Yadav, was shot dead during a clash between supporters of rival candidates in the Mokama Taal region. Police, however, said the cause of death was yet to be established.

“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.

Another officer said Yadav died while campaigning for Jan Suraaj candidate Piyush Priyadarshi. “Whether he succumbed to bullet injuries or it was an accidental death can only be known when the police get the body,” the SSP added.

Security has been stepped up in the area and the police said the incident will be investigated “from all angles”.

Jan Suraaj leaders accused rival camps of orchestrating the attack.
State president Manoj Bharti said in a statement, “The incident took place at the behest of those who seek votes by instilling fear of ‘jungle raj’… We strongly condemn the attack on the convoy of our Mokama assembly poll candidate, Priyadarshi Piyush, and the killing of one of his supporters.”

He added, “Attacking them during poll campaigns, firing bullets to show dominance, and running a vehicle over a supporter to kill them are heinous crimes.”

JD(U) candidate Anant Singh, a key contender in Mokama, denied wrongdoing. “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, was involved in this,” he told reporters.

RJD leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav questioned policing during the model code of conduct. “How are people roaming free with guns during the campaign when the model code of conduct has already been imposed?” he asked. “The murder of Dular Chand Yadav is a matter of serious concern… What ‘raj’ should it be called?”, he added, targeting the NDA government.

Mokama, where polling is scheduled for 6 November, has emerged as one of the most closely watched seats. Yadav had earlier contested against Anant Singh as an independent, and was considered close to several prominent leaders.

With tensions rising, the Jan Suraaj Party has demanded prompt arrests and protection for its candidates. “The Bihar Police must arrest the accused at the earliest… ensure the safety of Jan Suraj candidates,” the party said.

Police said verification and questioning are under way. The body is yet to be handed over for post-mortem, officials noted.

With PTI inputs