Mokama: In a major escalation of poll-related violence ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Dularchand Yadav (76) was shot dead in Mokama on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred near Basawan Chak when gunfire broke out between supporters of two rival groups — reportedly those of independent candidate Anant Singh and Jan Suraaj candidate Piyush Priyadarshi.
According to police, Dularchand was traveling with Priyadarshi’s campaign convoy when they were allegedly attacked by members of another party. A video of the incident has surfaced on social media, purportedly showing gunfire between the two sides near Ghoswari in Mokama.
This marks the first political murder of the ongoing election season in Bihar.
Shootout Erupts Between Convoys; Dularchand Run Over After Firing
Eyewitnesses said that 10 to 12 rounds of bullets were fired during the clash. Dularchand Yadav was hit twice in the leg before a vehicle reportedly ran over him, killing him on the spot.
The confrontation began when Anant Singh’s convoy was heading from Tartar to Basawan Chak, while Priyadarshi’s convoy was approaching from the opposite direction. When the two convoys crossed paths, supporters allegedly began attacking each other with sticks and rods. Windows of Priyadarshi’s vehicle were smashed during the assault, witnesses claimed.
A murder case has been registered at Bhadaur Police Station based on the statement of Dularchand’s grandson. Those named in the FIR include Anant Singh, his nephews Ranveer and Karamveer, Chhotan Singh, Kanjay Singh, and several unidentified individuals.
District Administration Confirms Clash Between Two Campaigns
Patna District Magistrate Dr. Tyagarajan S.M. confirmed that a violent clash had taken place between supporters of two candidates at Poswari Tal in Mokama. He said the matter is under investigation, and Dularchand Yadav’s death is being treated as “under suspicious circumstances.”
Political Blame Game Erupts After Murder
The killing has sparked a fierce political war of words in Bihar.
Anant Singh, who is contesting from Mokama, denied involvement in the murder, claiming instead that “Suraj Bhan orchestrated the entire incident.” He said, “We were out campaigning when our convoy was attacked. They started throwing stones and breaking vehicles. Suraj Bhan had kept Dularchand at his place.”
Jan Suraaj candidate Piyush Priyadarshi, who was present during the attack, said, “As soon as they saw my car, they shouted ‘Kill him!’ Four rounds of firing happened in front of me. Dularchand was shot in the leg and then run over by a car.”
RJD candidate Veena Devi, wife of Suraj Bhan Singh, visited the victim’s family and condemned the killing. Suraj Bhan and Veena Devi both denied any role in the violence.
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor (PK) reacted strongly, saying, “This incident shows that Bihar wants change. Our workers will not be intimidated by such violence.”
Leaders React: Calls for Accountability and Justice
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav condemned the murder, questioning how “criminals are roaming with guns during the election code of conduct.” He said, “In the last few hours, an ASI was killed in Siwan and an RJD leader was murdered in Mokama. The Prime Minister should speak about what’s happening in Bihar right now.”
Purnia MP Pappu Yadav also criticized the state administration, asking, “How many Yadavs will be sacrificed in Mokama? After Puttus Yadav, now Dularchand Yadav — is the government deliberately allowing violence to return to Bihar politics?”
Dularchand Yadav’s Controversial Past
A long-time political figure in the region, Dularchand Yadav was once close to both Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar. He had a notorious past, with over two dozen criminal cases against him, including charges of murder, extortion, and land grabbing.
He entered politics after being released on bail in 1990 and contested elections on a Lok Dal ticket, losing narrowly to Anant Singh’s elder brother Dilip Singh. Dularchand had also been arrested in 2019 by then-ASP Lipi Singh in connection with extortion and recovery cases.
Family Demands Justice
Following the killing, Dularchand’s family and local villagers staged a protest demanding immediate arrest of those responsible. His grandson Raviranjan Kumar alleged that the family had been receiving threats for several days. “First they killed me in threats, now my grandfather. We’re afraid we’ll be next,” he said.
Tension in Mokama as Election Campaign Continues
The murder has heightened tensions in the Mokama constituency, considered a politically sensitive area. Police have been deployed in large numbers to prevent further clashes as investigation teams continue to record witness statements and verify the viral video footage.
Authorities have appealed for calm as campaigning continues for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
