Patna: A high-profile murder has intensified political tensions in the Mokama area ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. Dularchand Yadav, a supporter of the Jan Suraaj Party and former close associate of RJD leader Lalu Prasad, was killed on Thursday while campaigning for Jan Suraaj candidate Piyush Priyadarshi.
The incident has prompted a heavy police presence in the region. Patna District Magistrate Thiyagarajan SM described the killing as the result of a clash between supporters of two rival candidates in Ghoswari Tal. He added that Yadav, who had multiple prior criminal cases against him, was found dead under suspicious circumstances. The body has been sent for post-mortem, and legal procedures are ongoing.
The Mokama Assembly seat has historically been one of Bihar’s most contested constituencies. Strongman Anant Singh, who has won the seat several times, is the JD(U) candidate this election cycle. The RJD is fielding Veena Devi, wife of Suraj Bhan Singh, while Piyush Priyadarshi represents the Jan Suraaj Party. Following Yadav’s murder, Priyadarshi and the deceased’s family directly accused Singh’s supporters of orchestrating the attack.
Anant Singh has denied any involvement, telling local media: “We were canvassing for votes in Tal and saw a crowd gathered at one location. We thought the opposition was canvassing. Thirty of our vehicles moved ahead, leaving ten behind, and they were attacked. This is a conspiracy by Suraj Bhan.”
Patna SSP confirmed that the incident occurred around 3:30 pm on October 30. The Ghoswari police station chief and officers arrived at the scene, finding two to three vehicles damaged and Yadav’s body inside one. Investigations are ongoing, with forensic teams examining the site and CCTV footage being reviewed.
Both sides have submitted statements to police: Priyadarshi claimed that his convoy was attacked by Singh’s supporters in Tartar village, resulting in stone-pelting and Yadav’s death. Singh, in turn, alleged that his convoy had been attacked by Jan Suraaj workers, leaving several of his supporters injured.
