Inside Bihar’s Violent Elections: When Strongmen Rule the Ballot Box
The killing of 75-year-old Dular Chand Yadav, a feared strongman from Mokama, just before the first phase of Bihar elections, marked a significant turning point, inflaming local anger and political tensions.
Dular Chand Yadav had supported the Jan Suraaj Party candidate, Priyadarshi Piyush, against rival strongmen Anant Singh (JD-U) and Suraj Bhan (RJD). Allegedly, Singh’s associates were responsible for Yadav’s murder, which led to Singh’s arrest amid escalating unrest in the area.
Crime and Politics Intertwined in Bihar
This incident underscores the deep-rooted nexus between crime and politics in Bihar. Political violence is a recurring feature of the state’s elections, reflecting a longstanding pattern of power struggles that frequently turn deadly.
“Voting in Bihar is never without bloodshed.”
Historical Context of Political Violence
The broader context ties this persistent violence to a historical legacy of power struggles, from ancient figures like Ashoka and Aurangzeb to contemporary political assassinations around the world, illustrating a continuous link between authority and violence.
Election Phase and Aftermath
- The first phase of voting concluded on November 6.
- Yadav was murdered on October 30 during election campaigning in the Khushal Chak area under Bhadaur police station of the Mokama Assembly constituency.
- Though never an MLA, Yadav commanded respect and fear comparable to elected legislators.
“Yadav was never an MLA, but his status and fear were no less than that of any MLA.”
The incident reflects the volatile nature of Bihar’s elections, where local strongmen wield significant influence, often turning the democratic process violent.
Author’s summary: The murder of a local strongman during Bihar's polls reveals the enduring and violent entanglement of crime and politics in the region, posing challenges to democratic stability.