JDU Leader Lalan Singh Under Fire for Controversial Voter Suppression Remarks Ahead of Bihar Elections

JDU leader and Lok Sabha MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh, commonly referred to as Lalan Singh, has sparked controversy with remarks allegedly aimed at intimidating voters from economically disadvantaged communities ahead of Bihar's first election phase.

The opposition has reacted strongly, accusing Singh of undermining the Election Commission's authority. In response, the electoral body issued a notice giving Singh 24 hours to provide an explanation.

On Tuesday, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) shared what they claimed was an excerpt from Singh's speech in Mokama constituency, with RJD national spokesperson Priyank Bharti stating: "Union Minister Lalan Singh is driving a bulldozer over the Election Commission's chest... saying the poor should not be allowed to leave their homes on voting day."

The RJD has filed a complaint with the Election Commission and criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the matter, particularly after Modi's previous condemnations of the opposition regarding 'jungle raj'.

Both Lalan Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary from BJP campaigned in Mokama on Monday. The JDU has nominated Anant Singh, a controversial figure with a criminal background, who has been arrested in connection with the murder of Dular Singh Yadav, who was supporting the Jan Suraaj candidate.

During his campaign speech, Lalan Singh reportedly remarked: "There are some people... they should not be allowed to leave their homes on the day of the election. If they plead too much... then take them with you and, after voting, bring them back home and make them sleep."

He added: "They have to be packed away at home. Take charge now. There is no time left for election."

Lalan Singh has publicly supported Anant Singh despite the latter facing 28 criminal cases. When questioned by NDTV about supporting a candidate with serious criminal allegations, Lalan Singh defended his position, stating: "This could be your perception. How can you decide who is tainted? A candidate can be arrested. I can be arrested too. Will that make me a criminal?"

In Mokama, which falls within Lalan Singh's Munger Lok Sabha constituency, Anant Singh is competing against RJD's Veena Devi, wife of rival 'bahubali' Suraj Bhan. Lalan Singh confidently predicted: "Take it from me in writing, Anant Singh will win this election with a bigger margin than all his earlier wins."