Bihar Deputy CM Confronts RJD Over Election Day Violence and Voter Intimidation

Patna:

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has reaffirmed his commitment to take strong action against criminal elements following multiple confrontations with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders, supporters, and police during election day.

During the high voter turnout in Phase 1 elections, several disturbing incidents occurred that BJP claimed exemplified potential law and order issues if the opposition RJD were to gain power. These included an attack on a CPI-ML leader, RJD's Bhai Virendra Singh publicly threatening an election official, and Sinha himself being targeted.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Sinha expressed that such incidents have been ongoing for several days. "The Superintendent of Police under whose jurisdiction these incidents are occurring is not taking appropriate action, which is deeply concerning. Some administrative officials appear completely inactive during the elections," he stated.

Police contradicted Sinha's claims about voters being prevented from casting ballots in Lakhisarai, asserting that voting was proceeding "peacefully."

When questioned about his widely circulated confrontation with RJD MLC Ajay Singh in Lakhisarai, Sinha, the incumbent MLA from the constituency, detailed the events. He alleged that RJD members were preventing Extremely Backward Classes citizens from voting at multiple polling stations.

"Upon receiving reports, I immediately went to investigate. RJD supporters were intimidating villagers and blocking voters from reaching polling booths, resulting in empty polling stations. When I attempted to enter the village, RJD members began throwing stones and cow dung at us," Sinha explained.

"We retreated and proceeded to another area. Then we received information that RJD MLC Ajay Singh was intimidating voters in our constituency. While en route there, we encountered the MLC who began speaking inappropriately. Villagers informed us he appeared intoxicated. Since he wasn't a candidate, his presence warrants investigation. I have formally reported this to the administration," he added.

The heated Bollywood-style confrontation between the two leaders, captured by NDTV cameras, began with "Who are you" and rapidly escalated. Accusations of intoxication in dry Bihar, hooliganism, and booth capturing were exchanged, culminating in ominous predictions about political consequences after the election.

Sinha told NDTV that such incidents reveal the true mentality of RJD and Congress. "RJD deliberately creates chaos. Their approach is to generate frenzy. These individuals are hooligans—that's their modus operandi," he stated. He offered an example: "Today, when my bodyguard moved forward, the RJD MLC pushed women and children in front of him."

"I have been combating criminals for 20 years. We will use bulldozers against criminals. Taking decisive action is essential to instill fear in wrongdoers," Sinha concluded.