Inside Bihar’s Violent Elections: When Strongmen Rule the Ballot Box

The murder of 75-year-old Dular Chand Yadav, a feared strongman from Mokama, occurred just before the first phase of Bihar's elections, marking a significant turning point that escalated local anger and political tensions.

Dular Chand Yadav supported the Jan Suraaj Party candidate against rival strongmen Anant Singh (JD-U) and Suraj Bhan (RJD). He was killed allegedly by associates of Anant Singh, who was subsequently arrested as the region's fury grew.

This incident highlights the deep-rooted and ongoing connection between crime and politics in Bihar, where political violence frequently resurfaces during elections.

Historical Context of Political Violence

"Voting in Bihar is never without bloodshed."

The culture of political violence in Bihar reflects a broader historical pattern, linking the state's turmoil to a long-standing association between power and violence seen from ancient rulers like Ashok and Aurangzeb to global political assassinations in modern times.

Details of the Incident

On October 30, just a week before the first phase of voting concluded on November 6, Dular Chand Yadav was murdered while campaigning in support of Priyadarshi Piyush, the Jan Suraaj Party candidate backed by Prashant Kishor. The killing took place in Khushal Chak area under Bhadaur police station in the Mokama Assembly constituency.

Though Yadav was never elected as an MLA, his influence and notoriety rivaled those of many elected representatives.

Political Rivalries and Impact

Dular Chand Yadav’s murder intensified the bitter rivalry among local strongmen.
The arrest of Anant Singh fueled further unrest and political strife.
The event brought into focus the dangerous nexus of crime and politics in the region.

"Dular Chand Yadav, an old strongman of the Mokama Assembly constituency, was murdered on October 30 while campaigning."

The violent episode underscores an ongoing pattern where electoral contests in Bihar are heavily influenced by muscle power and violent tactics rather than democratic processes alone.

Author's Summary: Bihar’s elections reveal a grim reality where political rivalry often escalates into deadly violence, reflecting a deep-rooted tradition of power struggles intertwined with crime.

Outlook India — 2025-11-09