Gopalganj: In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, police arrested Jitendra Paswan, the Mahagathbandhan-backed CPI(ML) candidate from Bhore constituency, immediately after he filed his nomination papers on Wednesday. The incident took place outside the Hathua subdivision office in Gopalganj, intensifying the political atmosphere in the region.
According to police sources, Paswan was detained in connection with a criminal case registered at Vijaypur police station in 2017. He had allegedly failed to appear before the court despite repeated summons, leading to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant. Officials said his arrest was carried out in compliance with court orders.
As news of the arrest spread, supporters of the CPI(ML) and the Grand Alliance staged protests, calling the move politically motivated. They accused the administration of using legal mechanisms to suppress opposition candidates in the run-up to the elections.
However, district authorities refuted these allegations, asserting that the action was strictly procedural. “The law applies equally to everyone, including election candidates. The arrest was made following a court directive,” a police official said.
CPI(ML) leaders have condemned the arrest and signalled plans for demonstrations in Bhore and Hathua. Meanwhile, Paswan remains in police custody and is expected to be produced before the court soon.
