Patna (Bihar) [India], November 3 : Ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, Union Minister and JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh on Monday said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would not let Mokama feel the absence of Anant Singh.
His remarks come amid Anant Kumar Singh, the Janata Dal (United) candidate from Mokama, who was arrested in the early hours yesterday by Patna Police in connection with the alleged murder of Dularchand Yadav.
He was killed on October 30 following a clash between supporters of the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) and the Janata Dal (United) in Mokama assembly constituency.
Addressing a gathering in Mokama, Lalan Singh said, "We will not let the people of Mokama feel the absence of Anant Singh."
"The kind of language used, does it belong in society? Such words are spoken only by those who wish to spread unrest," Singh said.
Singh added that under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's leadership, law and order in Bihar ensures impartial investigations. "We are confident that the police will conduct a fair probe and expose those behind this conspiracy. The truth will come out under Nitish Kumar's rule of law," he said.
Calling on voters to support the NDA, Singh urged, "On November 6, every single vote should go to Anant Singh so that Mokama's people can prove that no conspiracy will succeed on this land."
Later speaking to ANI, Singh said that recent incidents and viral videos from the region were part of a "well-planned conspiracy" to frame Anant Singh and create social tension.
"We have seen many videos, and it clearly shows the incident was pre-planned, executed with conspiracy," Singh told ANI.
On the issue of the Chief Minister's post within the NDA, Singh said, "Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that there is no vacancy for the post of Prime Minister and Chief Minister. When there is no vacancy, then there is no question of who will become the Chief Minister."
He further targeted RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, stating, "When Tejashwi Yadav gained consciousness, both his father and mother were corrupt, and there was immense corruption during their term."
Meanwhile, Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar on Sunday said that the death of Dularchand Yadav, which occurred during a violent clash between supporters of two candidates in Mokama on October 30, was caused by cardiac and respiratory failure, and not by a gunshot injury, as per the post-mortem report.
While addressing the press conference in Patna, the DGP informed that a bullet mark was found on the leg of the deceased, but it was not the cause of death.
"An FIR has been lodged in this matter, and a detailed post-mortem examination was conducted, including videographic documentation. A bullet mark was found on the leg of the deceased, but it was not the cause of death. The primary cause was determined to be cardiac and respiratory failure," DGP Vinay Kumar said.
He added that a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team has been constituted to probe the incident.
"A CID team has been formed to investigate the incident. Preliminary findings suggest that the vehicle may have rammed into the deceased during the scuffle. Whether this was intentional or accidental will be determined after a thorough investigation," he said.
On the arrest of Janata Dal (United) (JDU) candidate Anant Singh in the Dularchand Yadav murder case, the DGP said that there were very few eyewitnesses but that the investigation was ongoing.
"There were very few eyewitnesses, but the investigation is ongoing, including a recreation of the crime scene. The weapon used to fire the bullet into the deceased's leg has not yet been recovered. Several individuals allegedly involved and present at the time of the incident have been arrested. We are closely monitoring the candidates' movements and working to identify additional suspects based on available video footage. No one will be spared in this matter," he asserted.
Mokama, which will vote in the first phase on November 6, is once again set to witness a high-voltage electoral contest in the 2025 polls, as Janata Dal (United) has fielded strongman Anant Singh, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has nominated Veena Devi, wife of former MP and influential leader Surajbhan Singh. From the Jan Suraaj Party, Priyadarshi Piyush is contesting.
Voting for Bihar's 243-seat Assembly will take place in two phases on November 6 and 11. Counting of votes will take place on November 14.