PM Modi’s Arrah rally and Patna roadshow energise campaign as Mokama case unfolds

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome in Bihar on Sunday, 2 November, as he launched a fresh phase of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) campaign for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. His visit, which included rallies and a roadshow across key districts, took place amid heightened political activity and growing tension over the Mokama firing incident, in which Jan Suraaj supporter Dular Chand Yadav was killed.

According to Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal, massive crowds turned out to greet the Prime Minister. “On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi came to Bhojpur Arrah, where lakhs of people and workers welcomed him. After addressing the rally in Arrah, he proceeded to Nawada and later held a roadshow from Dinkar Chowk in Patna at 5 pm,” Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal added that the Prime Minister’s visit reflected the enthusiasm of party workers across the state. “The turnout was huge, and people were eager to hear his address. His visit has infused fresh energy into the campaign,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Jaiswal commented on the murder of Dular Chand Yadav in Mokama, saying that the police had full authority to act and ensure justice. “There is a rule of law in Bihar, and the police have full authority to take action to deliver justice. The law is doing its work; after that, there is the court, and the case will also go to the court. The court keeps a close watch on all these and then takes an appropriate decision,” he said.

The incident occurred on October 30, when 75-year-old Dular Chand Yadav was killed during a clash between two groups while campaigning for the Mokama Assembly seat. The confrontation involved stone-pelting and firing, resulting in his death.

Following the incident, former Bihar MLA and Janata Dal (United) candidate Anant Kumar Singh was arrested along with his associates Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram in connection with the case. Singh later released a video message on social media expressing faith in the people of Mokama. “Satyamev Jayate! I have complete faith in the people of Mokama! That’s why now the people of Mokama will fight this election!” he wrote.

Providing details of the investigation, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya Sharma said both sides involved in the clash had registered complaints, and the police had collected evidence, eyewitness statements, and the postmortem report. “Based on the investigation, it was found that the violence occurred in the presence of the candidate, Anant Singh, who is also the main accused. He has been arrested, along with his accomplices, Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram. All three will be presented before the magistrate, and due investigation will follow,” Sharma said.

The SSP stated that the incident represented a serious violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and assured that law enforcement was fully prepared to ensure peaceful polling. “I want to assure the voters of Patna that elections will be held peacefully, and they can fearlessly come out and vote. Patna Police and the administration stand with the voters, and no one will be stopped from exercising their right,” he added.

As Prime Minister Modi’s rallies and roadshow attracted massive gatherings in Arrah, Nawada, and Patna, the political climate in Bihar grew increasingly charged. The Mokama incident has added a layer of tension to the already high-stakes election campaign, drawing attention to both law and order concerns and the intense competition among political parties in the state.