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, shortly before the first phase of the Bihar elections, marked a critical turning point, escalating local anger and political tensions.

Dular Chand Yadav supported the Jan Suraaj Party candidate Priyadarshi Piyush, opposing rival strongmen Anant Singh (JD-U) and Suraj Bhan (RJD). He was killed on October 30 in the Khushal Chak area of Mokama while campaigning. Singh’s associates are alleged to be responsible, resulting in Singh’s arrest amid widespread outrage in the region.

Crime and Politics Intertwined in Bihar

This murder reveals Bihar's entrenched connection between crime and politics, with violence frequently surfacing during elections. Yadav, though never an MLA, held influence and instilled fear comparable to elected leaders.

Historical Context of Political Violence

The pattern of political bloodshed in Bihar reflects a larger historical narrative connecting power with violence. From ancient rulers like Ashoka and Aurangzeb to global modern political assassinations, this culture of conflict persists as a method of asserting dominance.

"Voting in Bihar is never without bloodshed."

The first phase of voting in Bihar concluded on November 6, following the murder that intensified the charged atmosphere surrounding the elections.

Summary

The killing of Dular Chand Yadav underscores how Bihar’s political landscape remains dominated by violent power struggles, where strongmen often influence elections as much as formal political representatives.

Outlook India — 2025-11-09