JDU candidate from Mokama, Bihar, strongman Anant Singh, has been arrested in the Dularchand Yadav murder case. Following the incident, the Election Commission removed several officials, heating up Mokama politics.
Patna police have arrested Anant Singh, a prominent strongman in Bihar’s Mokama assembly constituency, on charges of murdering Jansuraj supporter Dularchand Yadav. Police took action in Bedhna village in the Barh area late Saturday night.
According to SSP Kartikeya Sharma, based on preliminary investigations and video footage from the crime scene, Anant Singh has been identified as the prime accused. Police have also arrested Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram, who were allegedly present at the scene.
The October 30th Murder Sparked Politics
On October 30th, at around 3 pm, a clash occurred between Anant Singh’s convoy and supporters of Jansuraj candidate Piyush Priyadarshi between Tartar and Basavanchak. During the exchange of fire, Dularchand Yadav was killed.
An FIR was registered at the Ghoswari police station against five people, including Anant Singh. Since the incident, tension has been raging in the entire area.
Election Commission Action Against Officials
Following the murder, the Election Commission transferred and suspended several administrative officials in the Mokama Assembly constituency. Mokama Returning Officer Chandan Kumar was removed and Ashish Kumar was given the charge.
DSP Anand Kumar Singh replaced Barh SDPO Rakesh Kumar. ATS DSP Ayush Srivastava was appointed Barh-2 SDPO. The Commission directed the appointment of a new officer to replace Patna Rural SP Vikram Sihag.
Dularchand Yadav: The ‘Wrestler of Politics’
75-year-old Dularchand Yadav was considered an influential figure in Tartar village. He had contested assembly elections several times and had a strong presence in the Mokama Tal area. During Lalu Yadav’s tenure, his image transformed from a bandit carrying a red flag to an influential local leader.
Journalist Suroor Ahmed says that Dularchand was once close to the RJD and had good relations with both Lalu and Nitish. Recently, he has shown active involvement in Jansuraj and campaigned for Piyush Priyadarshi.
A Major Shift in Political Equations
The JDU has fielded Anant Singh from Mokama this time, while the RJD has fielded Veena Devi, Suraj Bhan Singh’s wife. Piyush Priyadarshi is the candidate from Jansuraj.
Anant Singh’s arrest could rapidly shift the political balance in the region.
