During the first phase of Bihar’s Assembly elections in Lakhisarai, a crowd attacked the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha with slippers and stones while raising “murdabad” slogans. Sinha, a three-time MLA and Bhumihar leader, accused the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supporters of orchestrating the attack to disrupt polling.
Responding to media, Sinha accused the opposition behind the attack and said they will run bulldozer on their chest as NDA is winning.
The Lakhisarai Superintendent of Police confirmed tensions but said the situation was under control. Sinha condemned the police for not preventing the incident and demanded deployment of a special force, warning of protests if the situation is not addressed. Election Commission
Background of the Incident
The incident occurred in Vijay Kumar Sinha’s home constituency during election day as he was visiting polling booths. Lakhisarai is a BJP stronghold, and Sinha is seeking a fourth term. The attack reflected the heightened political tensions between BJP and RJD amid fiercely contested polls.
Sinha alleged that the attackers were “goons” preventing voters from exercising their rights and accused the ruling coalition’s local police of weakness. The police reported that polling was peaceful earlier, with clashes erupting only after Sinha arrived.
Details and Responses
Sinha’s convoy was reportedly pelted with cow dung and stones, and his polling agents faced intimidation. He demanded immediate central force deployment to maintain order and threatened to stage a sit-in protest in the village if conditions did not improve.
Police arrived promptly, confirming they were investigating the incident and identifying culprits. The RJD and local authorities have yet to issue a detailed response. The incident raised concerns about election security and voter intimidation in Bihar.
Bihar Election Updates
The first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections began on November 6, covering 121 constituencies across 18 districts, including Patna, Darbhanga, Madhepura, and Lakhisarai. Over 3.75 crore voters are eligible to participate, with around 10.7 lakh being new electors.
The election involves a fierce contest primarily between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, against the Mahagathbandhan (INDIA bloc) led by Tejashwi Yadav. Other contenders include Tej Pratap Yadav’s newly formed Janshakti Janata Dal and political strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party, adding further complexity.
Polling stations, numbering over 45,000 with the majority in rural areas, have witnessed active voter turnout. Campaigns have been intense, shaped by caste dynamics, development issues, and political legacies.
High-profile candidates like Maithili Thakur and Khesari Lal Yadav also contest, making this phase crucial for setting the tone of Bihar’s electoral future. The Election Commission has focused on maintaining peaceful polling, although some isolated incidents have raised security concerns.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This episode underscores the fragility of peaceful democratic processes in highly polarised political environments. It is imperative for all parties, security agencies, and the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections without fear or intimidation. The Logical Indian advocates for political dialogue, respect for voters’ rights, and strict action against violence to uphold democratic values.
