'Desperate to Influence Election': RJD's Sanjeev Kumar Singh Alleges Police Raid
RJD candidate Sanjeev Kumar Singh claims the government used a warrantless police raid to intimidate him during Bihar's MLC elections.
In a dramatic turn of events during the biennial Legislative Council elections, Sanjeev Kumar Singh, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate for the Patna Teachers' constituency, has accused the government of using police force to intimidate him. Singh alleges that authorities attempted to conduct a raid on his residence without a legal warrant in a blatant bid to influence the electoral outcome.
A 'Shameful' Attempt at Intimidation
Speaking to the media, the candidate expressed deep distress over the incident, describing it as a shameful act. Singh, who is a doctor by profession and a former MLA, emphasized that he has no pending criminal cases or allegations against him, making the sudden police presence inexplicable.
"By entering his home and causing a disturbance, they are attempting to influence the election. This is the first time such a thing has happened in the country," Singh stated.
He further claimed that while elections are being held across various locations in Bihar, as well as in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, his is the only instance where a candidate's residence was targeted by the police.
The Standoff: No Warrant, No Entry
According to Singh, the police arrived with a significant show of force, parking eight vehicles outside his home. The officers reportedly remained stationed there for two hours, demanding entry to conduct a search.
Singh maintained that he stood his ground by upholding the rule of law. When he asked the officers to produce a search warrant, they were unable to do so. Consequently, he refused to allow them inside his premises, viewing the entire exercise as a reflection of the government's frustration.
Political Vendetta and Rising Popularity
The RJD candidate linked this incident directly to his political shift. He revealed that he had previously been with the Janata Dal (United) before joining the RJD. He believes that his transition to Lalu Prasad Yadav's party, coupled with his growing popularity among voters, has unsettled the current administration.
Addressing the nature of the constituency, Singh noted that the Teachers' constituency consists of intellectuals. He argued that the government's attempt to use intimidation is essentially an attempt to "steal votes" from a candidate they cannot defeat through fair means.
"We are like lions, and our leader is a lion too," Singh asserted, reaffirming his loyalty to the RJD and stating that the government simply cannot digest his alliance with Lalu Ji.
Context of the Bihar MLC Polls
The controversy unfolds as polling is underway for vacancies in the Legislative Council. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), several members' terms are ending across four states:
- Bihar: 8 members (4 Graduates' and 4 Teachers' constituencies)
- Uttar Pradesh: 11 members
- Maharashtra: 5 members
- Karnataka: 4 members
In Bihar, the voting is taking place in the Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut, and Kosi Graduates' constituencies, as well as the Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut, and Saran Teachers' constituencies. The sitting members' tenures expire on November 16.
With polling concluding on Friday, the focus now shifts to the counting of votes scheduled for October 27, with the entire electoral process slated for completion by October 31.