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

Dular Chand Yadav, who supported the Jan Suraaj Party candidate Priyadarshi Piyush against rival strongmen Anant Singh (JD-U) and Suraj Bhan (RJD), was killed on October 30 while campaigning in Khushal Chak, Bhadaur police station area of Mokama Assembly constituency.

The incident occurred just a week before the first phase of voting, which concluded on November 6.

Though Yadav never held the position of MLA, his influence and the fear he commanded rivaled that of any elected representative in the region.

Political Violence and Crime Nexus in Bihar

This murder highlights the enduring connection between crime and politics in Bihar, where violence during elections has deep historical roots and frequently resurfaces in the state's political landscape.

The larger context reflects a historical pattern of political bloodshed worldwide, connecting the violent struggles for power from ancient rulers like Ashok and Aurangzeb to recent political assassinations.

"Voting in Bihar is never without bloodshed."

Implications of the Incident

Anant Singh’s associates are allegedly responsible for Yadav’s murder.
Singh was arrested amid growing outrage in the region.

The clash underscores the dominance of strongmen in Bihar’s elections, where power often intertwines with violence and intimidation.

Author’s Summary

The brutal killing of a local strongman prior to Bihar’s elections reveals the state’s deep-rooted culture of political violence and the persistent link between crime and electoral politics.

Outlook India — 2025-11-09