Legacy of Terror: How Mohammad Shahabuddin's Son Osama Shapes Bihar's Raghunathpur Election

RJD candidate Osama Shahab from Raghunathpur is campaigning with a powerful legacy - he's the son of notorious Siwan don Mohammad Shahabuddin.

In Patna, the political landscape is witnessing an interesting dynamic as Osama Shahab maintains a reserved demeanor during rallies. His silence is strategic; his family name resonates more powerfully than any speech could.

As the son of former Siwan MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, Osama carries a weighty political inheritance. His father, a renowned strongman who served four terms as an MP, was later disqualified from electoral politics after being convicted in multiple cases, including a double murder. Shahabuddin's influence cast a long shadow over every election until his death in 2021 from COVID-19 complications.

This Assembly election marks the first since the don's passing, with his son now stepping into the political arena. The ruling NDA has seized this opportunity to criticize RJD for allegedly promoting criminalization in politics, frequently reminding voters of Siwan's turbulent period during Shahabuddin's peak influence. BJP leaders assert that the RJD-Congress-led Mahagathbandhan aims to resurrect "Jungle Raj" in Bihar. Despite these accusations, RJD has firmly backed Shahab, with incumbent RJD legislator Hari Shankar Yadav even vacating the Raghunathpur seat for him.

Shahab brings international credentials to his candidacy, having studied in London and earned a law degree. According to his election affidavit, he faces multiple criminal charges, including attempted murder, though no convictions have been secured.

The Raghunathpur constituency has attracted high-profile campaigners from opposing political camps, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his political rival, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.

While Shahabuddin never contested from Raghunathpur Assembly seat himself, he did represent the neighboring Ziradei constituency.

The demographic composition of Raghunathpur includes approximately 68,000 Muslim voters, 34,000 voters from scheduled castes, 31,000 from the Rajput community, and 28,000 from the Yadav community. With Muslims and Yadavs forming crucial support bases for RJD, Shahab appears to hold a potential electoral advantage.

His main opponent remains undaunted. JDU candidate Vikash Singh remarked, "If he wins, he will distribute (katta) guns. I am talking about pens." Raghunathpur will cast ballots in the first phase of polling.

Shahabuddin's notorious legacy continues to influence regional politics. The late don, who held a doctorate, first entered the criminal records at age 19. His criminal history expanded significantly over time, earning him the designation of a history sheeter.

His political journey began with the RJD's youth wing, followed by successful election campaigns in the 1990 and 1995 state polls, before advancing to his parliamentary career.

Among the most infamous cases associated with him was the murder of former JNU students' union president Chandrashekar Prasad, though his involvement was never conclusively established.

He was, however, convicted in the horrific 2004 double murder of brothers Satish and Girish, who were subjected to an "acid bath" after refusing to pay extortion money to Shahabuddin's associates. The third brother, Rajiv, who witnessed the gruesome crime, was killed before he could testify.

Shahabuddin received a life imprisonment sentence, which the Supreme Court upheld. Due to concerns about his potential influence over ongoing trials, he was transferred to Tihar Jail, where he eventually died.